The Psych Sofa

How can psychology be used to evaluate and improve Health and Housing? In this episode, Developmental Psychologist Dr Klara Price hosts a conversation with the co-founders of the University of South Wales’s Health & Housing Research Group, Dr Dan Bowers and Dr Lucy Fishleigh.

We discuss the research priorities for Housing and Health in Wales, including ‘‘Understanding the barriers and facilitators for enabling houses and communities to support people to thrive’’. 

We also talk to Dr Rachel Taylor about the MSc Psychology (Conversion) online course at the University, which was developed in partnership with Linc Cymru (housing association), and how the students on the course have the opportunity to make a positive impact in the society through live briefs.

To learn more, search ‘USW Psychology’.

Psychology has the power to change the lives of autistic children. In this Psych Sofa episode, Developmental Psychologist Dr Klara Price hosts a conversation with three certified behaviour analysts, Dr Aimee Giles, Dr Emily Groves and Dr Christopher Seel.

We explore what difference the Early Intervention Service at USW has made to the lives of autistic children, their families and the community over the last decade. The Service also provides valuable Behaviour Analysis-based training to parents and external school professionals. 

To learn more, search ‘USW Psychology’. 

Academic success goes hand in hand with the learners’ and teachers’ wellbeing. In this episode, Developmental Psychologist Dr Klara Price hosts a conversation with Dr Deborah Lancastle, Associate Professor and a Health Psychologist, and Dr Alexis Jones, Educational Psychologist, and a Senior Lecturer in Psychology.

Deborah and Alexis are the co-founders of the University of South Wales’s Educational Wellbeing Special Interest Group, which brings educational professionals together to share practice and knowledge aimed at driving educational wellbeing forward in Wales. 

We discuss how evaluating and understanding why and in what context educational wellbeing interventions work best. We also touch on how interventions such as the Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSA), Emotion Coaching and the MiSpace – Wellbeing Game can benefit pupils’ socioemotional functioning and happiness. 

We finish the conversation discussing Deborah and Alexis’ current research projects that explore the factors impacting wellbeing of teachers as well as learners from different cultural backgrounds. 

To learn more, search ‘USW Psychology’.

Anyone can experience mental health problems, but physical exercise could help treat and prevent them. In this episode, Developmental Psychologist Dr Klara Price hosts a conversation with Dr Philip Tyson, Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer in Psychology, and Gabrielle Hale, Philip’s doctoral student and a Lecturer in Psychology. 

We discover how psychology can be used to help us understand the mechanisms behind enhancing mental health as a result in taking part in physical activity. But this is not just for those who are in an outstanding physical condition! Our guests talk about how participating in Walking Football benefits the body and the mind of elderly population and those with mobility issues. 

We also discuss Philip and Gabrielle’s research on evaluating other programmes designed to promote health and wellbeing through physical exercise, such as MEN-TALK.UK and the award-winning weight loss programme MAN v FAT Football. The message is clear – get active, play sports! 

To learn more, search ‘USW Psychology’. 

Psychology can help women suffering in silence with difficult reproductive health symptoms. In this episode, Developmental Psychologist Dr Klara Price hosts a conversation with Associate Professor and Health Psychologist Dr Deborah Lancastle about how psychology can offer meaningful insight into women’s biology, psychology and the social factors that go hand in hand with menstruation.

Deborah’s work has informed the Welsh Government’s Period Proud Wales Action Plan (2023), aimed at promoting cultural change around periods.

Gabrielle Hale, a lecturer in psychology, also joins us to talk about her involvement in Deborah’s research, including investigating women’s experiences of periods in a workplace, as well as the development of the Period Pal app, assessing women’s menstrual symptoms to help improve their quality of life. 

To learn more, search ‘USW Psychology’. 

Psychology helps us understand the issues around alcohol and gambling addictions. In this episode, Developmental Psychologist Dr Klara Price hosts a conversation with the co-founders of the University of South Wales Addictions Research Group, Professor Bev John and Professor Gareth Roderique-Davies.

As part of their research, they have co-developed a national training package for healthcare professionals to help treat patients with little-known condition called Alcohol Related Brain Damage (ARBD), which is caused by long-term alcohol consumption.

We also talk to Dr Darren Quelch, a trained anaesthetist and a senior research assistant involved in the ever-expanding work of the Addictions Research Group, including the investigation of the current service provision for ARBD, nationwide.

To learn more, search ‘USW Psychology’.