
Olivia Hughes
Research student, School of Psychology
- hughesoa@cardiff.ac.uk
- Tower Building, 70 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT
Overview
My research involves exploring a mindfulness-based online intervention to support children and their families affected by skin conditions. My aim is to deliver a sustainable support resource drawing upon mindfulness-based therapeutic approaches to make a useful contribution.
Undergraduate Education
2016 - 2019: Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Counselling Studies and Psychology – University of Wales Trinity Saint David (First Class Honours).
Postgraduate Education
2019 - 2020: Master of Science (MSc) Clinical Psychology and Mental Health – Swansea University (Distinction).
2020 - Present: Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology), Cardiff University School of Psychology.
Awards
2019: British Psychological Society Best Undergraduate Dissertation.
2019: British Psychological Society – Welsh Branch Annual Student Conference, Poster Presentation Prize.
2019: Swansea University Taught Masters Excellence Scholarship (awarded for attaining first class undergraduate degree).
Experience
2021 – Present: Patient Associate Editor to the British Journal of Dermatology.
2018 - Present: Trustee to Skin Care Cymru.
2019: PsoWell Training Programme for Motivational Interview in Psoriasis, Cardiff.
February 2020 - December 2020: Honorary Assistant Psychologist - The Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery, Morriston Hospital, Swansea.
October 2021: Ichthyosis Support Group - co-delivered 'Psychological and Psychosocial Impact of Living with Ichthyosis' workshop for society members, of which the summary can be found here
Media
Olivia was interviewed and featured in an article exploring skin conditions by the BBC, which can be found here
Membership
Graduate Member of The British Psychological Society (MBPsS).
Mindfulness in Schools Project (MiSP) 'Teach Paws B' to 7-11 Year old Children: Qualified Teacher (September, 2021).
Research
Research interests
I am interested in researching the psychological impact of living with a skin condition. My undergraduate research involved using mixed methods to investigate the ways in which males and females cope with skin conditions. For my postgraduate studies, I conducted a qualitative investigation into the experiences of anger in psoriasis, exploring how negative emotion influence the onset and progression of the skin condition.
My PhD research involves exploring a mindfulness-based online intervention to support children and their families affected by skin conditions. My aim is to deliver a sustainable support resource drawing upon mindfulness-based therapeutic approaches to make a useful contribution.
Publications:
- Hughes, O., Hutchings, P.B & Phelps, C. 2021. Stigma, social appearance anxiety and coping in men and women living with skin conditions: A mixed methods analysis Skin Health and Disease https://doi.org/10.1002/ski2.73
- Watkins, H., Hughes, O., Jones, L., Tate, L., Mouris Khela, M. & Hurrell, C. 2022. The use of inpatient goal planning in a regional burns centre: A thematic analysis of staff and patient experiences. Burns https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2022.02.013
- Hughes, O & Hunter, R. 2022. The Importance of Exploring the Role of Anger in People with Psoriasis. JMIR Dermatology https://doi.org/10.2196/33920
- Hughes, O & Hunter, R. 2022. Understanding the Experiences of Anger in the Onset and Progression of Psoriasis: A Thematic Analysis. Skin Health and Disease. https://doi.org/10.1002/ski2.111
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY
Researchers at Cardiff University are now offering carers of children (aged under 16 years) with ichthyosis an online mindfulness course, and there is a £20 voucher for taking part!
Interested? Email Olivia Hughes: hughesoa@cardiff.ac.uk for more information.