Research News
14 May 2024
Funded PhD: Digital Interventions Against cancer Misinformation (DIAM) Project
SFI Lero and Breakthrough Cancer Research Digital tools such as discussion boards, apps and websites are often noted as leading sources of cancer misinformation. This misinformation might pertain to prevention of cancer, screening outcomes and treatment options. In the current digital era, many patients unsurprisingly seek out information via the internet. It is unrealistic to expect patients to avoid online information pertaining to a diagnosis they have received, which makes it all the more important to equip patients with the tools to evaluate information they are engaging with.
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24 Jul 2023
Family Processes and the Emotional and Behavioural Well-being of Autistic Children and Youth: A Systematic Review of Prospective Studies
SoAP PhD student, Billy Fitzgerald, and co-authors, Christopher McCusker, Maria Dempsey, and Audrey Dunn Galvin, recently published a research paper in the Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Emotional and behavioural difficulties including depression, anxiety, and hyperactivity are elevated in autistic children (AC). Family processes of a psychological nature are associated with these difficulties, but the direction of influence is uncertain. We searched seven bibliographic databases for prospective, quantitative studies on the impact of family processes across the parent, dyad, and family system levels on the later well-being of AC without intellectual disability, across a minimum of six months. Eligible studies were extracted following PRISMA guidelines and narratively synthesised. Sixteen of the 17 studies included for review reported significant associations between at least one family process and later well-being. Parenting stress and aspects of the parent–child relationship yielded most robust associations. Weaker support was found for parent mental health problems. Clinical and research implications are discussed. Read in full here
Read on link.springer.com
14 Dec 2022
ASpida is about to be launched into the local communities
Researchers from the University College Cork, the School of Applied Psychology hosted a two-day event to present and discuss in person the new training handbook of ASpida. They invited a group of individuals with chronic pain, members of the Chronic Pain Ireland (CPI) who participated in a series of activities that focused on pilot testing the new protocol. ASpida is an innovative community-based program that aims to tackle the effects of stigma in chronic pain.
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17 Aug 2022
Teacher attitudes toword and awareness of adolescent gambling behavior in the UK
Raegan Murphy and colleagues have published their latest research entitled "Teacher attitudes toward and awareness of adolescent gambling behavior in the UK". Numbers of adolescents experiencing gambling related harm are increasing. Teachers spend a significant amount of time with students and their attitudes can make an impact on engagement in high-risk behavior. However, teachers’ awareness of, and attitudes towards adolescent gambling are under-researched; this study aimed to address this gap. 157 UK schoolteachers completed an online survey assessing their perceptions of adolescent gambling. Cochran’s-Q tests of association and regression analyses revealed that teachers perceived adolescent gambling as significantly less serious than other high-risk behaviors. Teachers also reported having significantly less frequent conversations about gambling and were less confident addressing gambling issues than other high-risk behaviors. Arguments are made for increased teacher training around problematic youth gambling. Such a strategy would be a prerequisite for the development and implementation of targeted prevention from harms.
Read on doi.org