Professor Daragh McDermott

Left to right: Prof. Daragh McDermott, Dr Anthony Gifford, Dr Beth Jones Anthony is holding his thesis after just passing his viva.

PhDone ✅ 🥳

Thank you @daraghmcdermott.bsky.social, Dr Beth Jones & Prof. Rusi Jaspal for all your support!

Shout to Professor Adam Bourne (La Trobe University, Melbourne) and Dr Blerina Kellezi (NTU Psychology) for making the viva so enjoyable!

@ntupsychology.bsky.social

Humble brag time - proofs for PhD paper number five (!!) are officially submitted, which means the only thing between me and finishing this PhD is the viva. Wild to think I once hoped for three papers, but caffeine, stress, and top-tier supervision said otherwise. Viva, I’m coming for you.

Title and abstract of a recently published paper. Psychosocial Profiles of Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) Influencing PrEP Acceptability: A Latent Profile Analysis Despite the availability of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in the United Kingdom (UK), uptake among men who have sex with men (MSM) remains inconsistent, signalling a persistent ‘PrEP Gap’. Empirical studies show the important role of psychosocial factors (e.g., stigma, identity, trust in science, and sexual behaviours) in PrEP acceptability and uptake. This study aimed to identify subgroups of MSM in the UK based on psychosocial predictors of PrEP acceptability. A cross-sectional survey of MSM (N = 500) was conducted between June and September 2023. Participants completed validated measures assessing identity resilience, internalised homonegativity, LGBTQ+ connectedness, trust in science, NHS perceptions, HIV stigma, PrEP self-efficacy, condom self-efficacy, sociosexual orientation, perceived HIV risk, and PrEP acceptability. Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) was used to identify distinct subgroups based on these psychosocial dimensions. Four psychosocial profiles were defined: (1) PrEP Ambivalent (15%); (2) PrEP Accepting (36.2%); (3) PrEP Hesitant (37%); and (4) PrEP Rejecting (11.8%). These profiles provide evidence for varied combinations of personal and structural factors influencing PrEP acceptability. PrEP acceptability among MSM in the UK is shaped by distinct psychosocial configurations, influenced by identity, stigma, trust, and perceived risk. These findings highlight the need for differentiated and targeted interventions for enhancing PrEP acceptability based on psychosocial profile. Audience segmentation strategies offer a promising pathway to bridge the awareness-to-engagement gap and address the nuanced barriers facing diverse subgroups within the MSM community. Keywords: LPA; PrEP; MSM; UK; acceptability; uptake

PhD Paper #3 published in the Psychology of Sexual and Gender Diversity special issue in Behavioural Science.

A latent profile analysis of PrEP usage among MSM in the U.K.

Endless thanks to Rusi Jaspal, Beth Jones and @daraghmcdermott.bsky.social

@ntupsychology.bsky.social

Abstract for the HIV anxiety scale

Thrilled to share our new HIV Anxiety Scale.

This was a true collaborative effort, and I’m so thankful to have worked with the amazing @drliamcahill.bsky.social @daraghmcdermott.bsky.social and Dr Beth Jones to bring this from idea to reality.

doi.org/10.1007/s104...

@ntupsychology.bsky.social

Congratulations @giff95.bsky.social! Two papers in two months from your PhD!

Title page of my recently published article: Predicting PrEP acceptability and self‐efficacy among men who have sex with men in the UK: The roles of identity resilience, science mistrust, and stigma

Paper #2 from my PhD published today. It highlights the importance of considering identity resilience when trying to improve PrEP uptake for HIV prevention.

doi.org/10.1111/hiv....

@ntupsychology.bsky.social

To all of our colleagues, students and friends, #RamadanMubarak as you start on this holy month. May your Ramadan be filled with peace, hope and prosperity.

Always a treat to be able to sound the 👏🏻proud supervisor 👏🏻 alarm 📣 and share one of my mentees first published peer reviewed articles.

Some papers represent more than just their data, they are a journey of determination, tenacity and growth! Take a bow @giff95.bsky.social 🎉🍾

As the doors close on 2024, I’m now officially Out of Office, and out of the country for the next few weeks. Reflecting on this year, professionally, it’s been one of transition and exciting challenge. But, for now, it’s time to recharge and reconnect with some hobbies!

All my work is open - and you can use images from it without seeking my permission as long as it is correctly cited. Every week I get requests in relation to COM-B or the Behaviour Change Wheel. No need to request- the answer is always yes! #OpenScience

Congratulations to Institute of Health & Allied Professions students graduating at Nottingham Trent University. An extra special day for our 1st Nurses from Mansfield site. Well done to all & the fantastic staff who helped them on the way @daraghmcdermott.bsky.social
#proudday #healthcarecareers

Whether true to fact, or a compelling fictionalisation of what happened, #SayNothing is one of the better mini-series I’ve watched for some time. Some stellar performances, particularly by actresses like Maxine Peake, Lola Petticrew and Hazel Doupe who deliver boldly gripping performances.

Saw the film #Conclave last night. Ralph Fiennes was masterful, Stanley Tucci was as good as ever and John Lithgow delivered as always. The plot was compelling and despite some odd CGI during one particular scene, overall- well worth a watch.

Steak and ale pie

The only storm I’d like to be affiliated with is the one I cooked up in the kitchen #StormDarragh

It’s likely flying to come up a bit over the next day or so…. The -GH is silent, it’s pronounced Da-Ra.

The decision as to whether to include the second R, well, wars have been waged for less.

#StormDarragh

Behavioural Data Science Our innovative MSc Behavioural Data Science course brings together state-of-the-art data science techniques with advanced psychological theory. Find out more.

New opportunities klaxon for final year students, or those looking to take the next big step in your career!

Our innovative MSc Behavioural Data Science course focuses on bringing together state-of-the-art data science techniques with advanced psychological theory.

www.ntu.ac.uk/course/socia...

Today is #WorldAidsDay.

Huge progress has been made in prevention and treatment, more can and needs to be done to increase knowledge and awareness, challenge misinformation and protect communities.

Questioning the integrity of prevention science around HIV/AIDS is both dangerous and alarming.

The four universities beating the Russell Group on pay growth and application rates A handful of outsiders may soon be giving the higher education elite a run for their tuition fees

Delighted to see NTU has been highlighted by The Telegraph as one of the UK's fastest rising universities.
 
From analysing five years’ worth of data, the Telegraph article focused on graduate earnings, popularity and world rankings of UK universities.

bit.ly/4i5w1D1