Dr Heather Kirk

Moderating Role of State and Trait Positive Affect in Virtual Reality Exposure for Public Speaking Anxiety: #Protocol for a Multisite Experimental #Study Background: The identification of moderators of exposure-based cognitive behavior therapy (EXCBT) outcome has the potential to: (1) guide the judicious application of the limited resource of EXCBT, and/or (2) identify additional treatment targets for ameliorating the deleterious effects of an identified moderator, thereby enhancing clinical response. Experimental and clinical studies have provided intriguing findings for the moderating influence of positive affect on EXCBT outcomes. Mixed findings for state positive affect (at the time of extinction/exposure trials) as a predictor of EXCBT outcomes stand in contrast to evidence that baseline levels of trait positive affect may be a more effective predictor. As such, questions remain about the best way to assess positive affect as a potential treatment moderator. Objective: This #Study was designed to investigate: (1) the relative value of state and trait positive affect for predicting the outcome of a single-session virtual-reality exposure intervention for public speaking anxiety in adults attending college, and (2) the role of three related constructs—optimism, hopefulness, and mental health self-efficacy—that may explain the predictive significance of trait positive affect. Methods: State affect is manipulated at an experimental level with affect induction procedures; trait positive affect is measured at baseline. Three dependent measures–a primary outcome of public speaking anxiety and secondary outcomes of social phobia and self-reported valence--are examined. This #Study relies on a team science approach and is conducted across 12 collaborating sites through the Exposure Therapy Consortium, allowing for replication of all findings across diverse #Study sites across the world. Results: Data collection for the current #Study began in October 2024 and is projected to end by August 2025. We expect to complete data analysis and submit results for publication in approximately October 2025. Conclusions: The current #Study will help to clarify the relationship between positive affect (state and trait), exposure learning, and three related constructs (optimism, hopefulness, mental health self-efficacy). These findings will illuminate strategies for future treatment improvement and enhanced efficacy. Clinical Trial: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT06593847; https://clinicaltrials.gov/#Study/NCT06593847

JMIR Res Protocols: Moderating Role of State and Trait Positive Affect in Virtual Reality Exposure for Public Speaking Anxiety: #Protocol for a Multisite Experimental #Study

Participants (18 years or over and no eating disorders) Needed for MSc study to to complete a short online questionnaire on stress, mindfulness, and eating behaviour. If you are interested, please click the link below: shusls.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

Chart showing that in 2018, the UK was among the worst in Europe for child poverty rates, second only the Greece.

The UK is among the worst nations in Europe for child poverty.

In the UK, 11% of 15-year-olds reported they had skipped a meal in 2022 because there wasn't enough money to buy food.

In the Netherlands and Finland, this number was 3%.

Hope so!

Edge Hill University gives staff two choices in bid to cut costs The university said "ultimately, we cannot avoid making reductions to staffing"

Last seven days of university cuts demonstrates how the whole sector is underwater:
*Arts University Bournemouth
*Cardiff
*Dundee
*Edge Hill
*Queens Belfast
*Wolverhampton
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...

Opinion | Trump is withdrawing from the WHO. That’s a grave mistake. The United States’ absence will only hurt Americans — and help China.

Trump is withdrawing from the WHO. That’s a grave mistake. By Richard Coniff and Lawrence O. Gostin wapo.st/4aHQN8J

Attitudes of German General Practitioners Toward eHealth Apps for Dementia Risk Reduction: Qualitative Interview Study Background: eHealth interventions constitute a promising approach to disease prevention, particularly because of their ability to facilitate lifestyle changes. Although a rather recent development, eHealth interventions might be able to promote brain…

JMIR Formative Res: Attitudes of German General Practitioners Toward eHealth Apps for Dementia Risk Reduction: Qualitative Interview Study #eHealth #DementiaCare #MentalHealth #HealthTech #DigitalHealth

New in JMIR: Efficacy of a Mobile Health–Based Behavioral Treatment for Lifestyle Modification in Type 2 #Diabetes Self-Management: Greenhabit #RCT #ClinicalTrial

I've taken up #crochet since Christmas, and I am now crocheting a new #dcfc scarf for myself :) 🐏

Sorry - here's a working link to this news story:
www.bristol.ac.uk/primaryhealt...

This meta-analysis of eHealth interventions to promote physical activity in young, middle-aged, and late middle-aged adults with obesity or overweight showed a) small to medium effects, and b) moderation by weight status and ethnicity;

Where are my qualitative psychology friends? :) make yourselves known, I'm creating a qual psy starter pack but it's a bit quiet at the moment!
go.bsky.app/GHBpNqU

Leyton Orient v Derby county- match off due to frozen pitch.
#dcfcfans #dcfc

Gotham is a town in Nottinghamshire

Love that he stole the cream 😂

The 4-day week reduces work-related burnout, improves mental health, provides more time for restorative leisure activities, and leads to better sleep.

Better-rested workers, in turn, make better and more creative decisions www.cell.com/trends/cogni...

‘The taste of a different life has helped workers re-value their goals…’

I fired the questions at Professor Paula Brough and Professor Gail Kinman, editors of 'Wellbeing at Work in a Turbulent Era'.

www.bps.org.uk/psychologist...

💡New Year’s Resolutions: Let's Talk Habits! 💡

My new @bpsofficial.bsky.social article draws on our cutting-edge #habit research – and some personal experience – to offer tips on effective behaviour change

👉 www.bps.org.uk/psychologist...

#NewYearsResolutions

@surreypsychology.bsky.social

Terry Pratchett's "Captain Samuel Vimes 'Boots' theory of socio-economic unfairness". The best quote I've ever read about why being poor can be so expensive.

AI in medicine: preparing for the future while preserving what matters. #BMJ

Welcome to 'Unlocking Behaviour Change' Essays in behavioural science

I've just started a Substack series called 'Unlocking Behaviour Change'. I will write brief essays on behavioural science. The first one will look at how the goal of influencing behaviour can be squared with respect for human agency open.substack.com/pub/robertwe...

Impact of #DigitalHealth on the #Patient-provider relationship in respiratory secondary care settings: a mixed methods systematic review Date Submitted: Jan 8, 2025. Open Peer Review Period: Jan 7, 2025 - Mar 4, 2025.

Impact of #DigitalHealth on the #Patient-provider relationship in respiratory secondary care settings: a mixed methods systematic review (preprint) #openscience #PeerReviewMe #PlanP

"The culture in healthcare that expects doctors to be heroic and resilient to a superhuman degree, with an intense workload, is toxic and increases their suicide risk."

We can do more to prevent healthcare worker suicides, writes @scarlettmcnally.bsky.social
www.bmj.com/content/388/...

That will keep you nice and toasty warm. We already have snow still on the ground up here in Yorkshire 🥶

Well done! That's lovely 😊

JMIR Infodemiology: Leading the Charge Against Misinformation and Building Trust in Public Health The fight against misinformation in the digital age is a critical public health challenge. At the APHA 2024 Annual Meeting & Expo in Minneapolis, Tim Mackey,...

Explore the field of #Infodemiology and its role in addressing #PublicHealth challenges. Watch this discussion with experts JMIR Infodemiology EIC, @tkmackey and Founder & CEO of JMIR Publications, @eysenbach on the latest trends and research. https://buff.ly/41Z63vd @UCSanDiego

Will there be another pandemic after covid-19 and are we prepared? Covid-19 is responsible for the deaths of millions of people around the world, but researchers fear the next global outbreak could be even worse, making it vital that we start preparing for that unkno...

I wrote about the risk of another pandemic 🧪🦠

One survey result I mention: most researchers think we're better prepared overall but their single biggest worry is now misinformation and public distrust

www.newscientist.com/article/2462...

Habituation of the biological response to repeated psychosocial stress: a systematic review and meta-analysis Recurrent psychosocial stress poses a significant health challenge, prompting research into mechanisms of successful adaptation. Physiological habitua…

🚨 New paper alert! 🚨
How do our bodily stress systems adapt to repeated psychosocial stress? A new systematic review/meta-analysis sheds light on the different ways biological stress systems habituate to recurring challenges. Out now in Neurosci & Biobehav Rev 👇
a short 🧵#PsychSciSky #Neuroscience

Definitely! Skyrim soundtrack is wonderful.