Professor Andrew Thompson
Professor of Clinical Psychology (Hons.), Programme Director (DClinPsy)
Overview
Programme Director & Consultant Clinical Psychologist - Cardiff & Vale University Health Board & Professor of Clinical Psychology Cardiff University. HCPC Registered Clinical Psychologist & HCPC Registered Health Psychologist. Accredited Practitioner in Cognitive Analytic Therapy
Research expertise - 1. long-term conditions affecting appearance and body-image (particular expertise in the psychosocial aspects of skin conditions); secondary interests - 2. psychodermatology; 3. psychosocial aspects of autism. Theoretical interests include mindfulness, ACT, and self-compassion.
Teaching expertise: Professor Thompson leads the South Wales doctorate in clinical psychology and teaches postgraduate trainee clinical psychologists on a number of clinical topics. Specific teaching expertise includes research methods as applied in clinical psychology, ethics, and psychological aspects of long-term conditions. Andrew has also developed teaching resources for Health Education England e-learning platform on psychological aspects of skin conditions and has provided numerous professional development workshops for medical and healthcare professionals.
Keynote and invited speeches include: European Society of Dermatology and Psychiatry, The British Association of Dermatologists Annual Meeting, The British Dermatology Nursing Annual Meeting, and The Royal Society for Medicine: Medicine and Me series of public lectures.
Media: Invited interviews include Radio 4 All in the Mind. Professor Thompson provides regular commentary to media providers and recent examples of commentaries provided to The British Psychological Society can be found here, to the British Skin Foundation here, and to the BBC here.
Summary of external activity:
Visiting roles - Visiting Professor of Clinical Psychology - University of Sheffield - 2021-current; Former visiting Professor of Clinical Psychology - University of Hull - 2014-2017
Committee memberships and advisory roles -
Workforce and Training subcommittee Wales representative, The Division of Clinical Psychology, British Psychological Society.
Group of Trainers in Clinical Psychology & Division of Clinical Psychology Representative to the British Psychological Society Research Board
Psychological Advisor - The All Party Parliamentary Group on Skin
Trustee - Changing Faces
Research board member - Vitiligo Society
Former Psychological Advisor - The Katie Piper Foundation - 2013-2018
Former Research Committee member - Alopecia UK - 2018-2020
External examining roles - current appointments - UEL, Newcastle (multiple prior HEI appointments)
Editorial roles - British Journal of Health Psychology (Incoming co-editor in chief); British Journal of Dermatology (Associate Editor); Scars, Burns, & Healing (Associate Editor)
Reviewer for funding applications for multiple research councils and charities including ESRC, NIHR, and MRC. Reviewer for multiple peer review journals in the field of psychology, medicine, nursing, and allied healthcare
Biography
Employment history
Reader in Clinical Psychology, Clinical Psychology Training Programme, University of Sheffield - 2001-2019
Clinical Lecturer 2001-2007, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology 2007-2011, Reader in Clinical Psychology 2011-2019. Between 1998-2019 Professor Thompson provided NHS services in South Yorkshire, working in adult mental health services (up until 2007), and then providing specialist clinical health psychology services (including establishing and leading an IAPT pathway for dermatology patients).
Principal Clinical Psychologist, Barnsley NHS Adult Mental Health Services. Following gaining qualification in 1998 Professor Thompson worked in adult mental health services until 2007. This included work in primary care, secondary care, and regional secure services.
Postgraduate education
D.Clin.Psy – University of Sheffield – 1998
Undergraduate education
University of Liverpool BA(Hons) Psychology - 1991
Professional memberships
British Psychological Society (since 1988) - Division of Clinical Psychology (Chartered since 1998); Division of Health Psychology (Chartered since 2007); Faculty of Clnical Health Psychology (Committee Member); Qualitative Methods Section (member)
Association of Cognitive Analytic Therapy (Practitioner member)
British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (Member)
Association of Clinical Psychologists (Member)
European Association of Health Psychology (Member)
European Society of Dermatology and Psychiatry (Member)
Publications
2024
- Shepherd, L., Sirois, F., Harcourt, D., Norman, P. and Thompson, A. R. 2024. Early appearance concerns after burns: Investigating the roles of psychological flexibility and self-compassion. Body Image 51, article number: 101797. (10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101797)
- Shepherd, L., Sirois, F., Harcourt, D., Norman, P. and Thompson, A. R. 2024. The acceptability of early psychological interventions for adults with appearance concerns after burns. Burns 50(8), pp. 2103-2113. (10.1016/j.burns.2024.07.038)
- Marron, S. E. et al. 2024. Stigmatization and perceived health status in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa: an observational multicenter study in Europe. International Journal of Dermatology (10.1111/ijd.17569)
- Day, M., Heapy, C., Norman, P., Emerson, L., Murphy, R., Hughes, O. and Thompson, A. R. 2024. Impact of childhood psoriasis on children and parents during transition to adolescence: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. British Journal of Health Psychology (10.1111/bjhp.12763)
- Wren, G., O'Callaghan, P., Zaidi, A., Thompson, A., Humby, T. and Davies, W. 2024. Monitoring heart rhythms in adult males with X-linked ichthyosis using wearable technology: a feasibility study. [Online]. Research Square. Available at: https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-5320157/v1
- Grahame, C., Thompson, A. R. and Freeth, M. 2024. “A wild and inaccessible place”: The lived experiences of autistic pregnancy and birth. Autism in Adulthood (10.1089/aut.2024.0033)
- Harries, M. J. et al. 2024. British Association of Dermatologists living guideline for managing people with alopecia areata 2024. British Journal of Dermatology (10.1093/bjd/ljae385)
- Shepherd, L. et al. 2024. A multi-centre prospective cohort study investigating the roles of psychological flexibility and self-compassion in appearance concerns after burn injuries. British Journal of Health Psychology (10.1111/bjhp.12754)
- Sirois, F. and Thompson, A. R. 2024. Editorial: Updates from the new editors-in-chief. British Journal of Health Psychology 29(3), pp. 513-515. (10.1111/bjhp.12725)
- Thomson, K. and Thompson, A. 2024. The experiences of individuals with body dysmorphic disorder: A systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative research. Body Image 50, article number: 101727. (10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101727)
- Hughes, O., Shelton, K. H., Penny, H. and Thompson, A. R. 2024. ‘Living in the present’ Mindfulness for parents of children with skin conditions: A single group case series. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (10.1017/S1352465824000341)
- Finch, K., Lawrence, D., Williams, M. O., Thompson, A. R. and Hartwright, C. 2024. Relationships between adverse childhood experiences, attachment, resilience, psychological distress and trauma among forensic mental health populations. The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology 35(5), pp. 660-684. (10.1080/14789949.2024.2365149)
- Zeidler, C. et al. 2024. Dermatological patients with itch report more stress, stigmatization experience, anxiety and depression compared to patients without itch: Results from a European multi‐centre study. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 38(8), pp. 1649-1661. (10.1111/jdv.19913)
- Hughes, O., Shelton, K. H. and Thompson, A. 2024. Healthcare professionals’ views on psychological support for children and families affected by skin conditions in the UK: a qualitative study. Skin Health and Disease 4(4), article number: e376. (10.1002/ski2.376)
- Eleftheriadou, V. et al. 2024. Burden of disease and treatment patterns in patients with vitiligo: findings from a national longitudinal retrospective study in the UK. British Journal of Dermatology 191(2), pp. 216-224. (10.1093/bjd/ljae133)
- Singleton, H. et al. 2024. Educational and psychological interventions for managing atopic dermatitis (eczema). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2024(8) (10.1002/14651858.cd014932.pub2)
- Thompson, A. R., Tziotzios, C., Nesnas, J., Randall, R., Czachorowski, M. and Messenger, A. 2024. Lifetime incidence and healthcare disparities in alopecia areata: A UK population-based cohort study. British Journal of Dermatology, article number: ljae307. (10.1093/bjd/ljae307)
- Hughes, O. and Thompson, A. R. 2024. Dealing with flares in skin conditions: how can we meet patient need?. British Journal of Dermatology 191(1), pp. 9-10., article number: ljae084. (10.1093/bjd/ljae084)
- Taylor, N., Maduewesi, O., Vasiliou, V. S. and Thompson, A. R. 2024. The experience of living with vitiligo in Nigeria: a participatory interpretative phenomenological analysis. Journal of Health Psychology (10.1177/13591053241261684)
- Sampogna, F. et al. 2024. A cross‐sectional study on gender differences in body dysmorphic concerns in patients with skin conditions in relation to sociodemographic, clinical and psychological variables. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (10.1111/jdv.20247)
- Radev, S., Freeth, M. and Thompson, A. R. 2024. ‘I’m not just being difficult . . . I’m finding it difficult’: A qualitative approach to understanding experiences of autistic parents when interacting with statutory services regarding their autistic child. Autism 28(6), pp. 1394-1404. (10.1177/13623613231212794)
- Smethurst, L., Thompson, A. R. and Freeth, M. 2024. “I’ve absolutely reached rock bottom and have no energy”: The lived experience of unemployed and underemployed autistic adults. Autism in Adulthood (10.1089/aut.2023.0171)
- Wren, G., Flanagan, J., Underwood, J., Thompson, A., Humby, T. and Davies, W. 2024. Memory, mood and associated neuroanatomy in individuals with steroid sulfatase deficiency (X-linked ichthyosis). Genes, Brain and Behavior 23(3), article number: e12893. (10.1111/gbb.12893)
- Keenan, E., Morris, R., Vasiliou, V. S. and Thompson, A. R. 2024. A qualitative feasibility and acceptability study of an acceptance and commitment-based bibliotherapy intervention for people with cancer. Journal of Health Psychology 29(5), pp. 410-424. (10.1177/13591053231216017)
- Barlow, R. et al. 2024. Assessing and managing mental health of people with vitiligo: UK-wide consultation exercise. British Journal of Dermatology 190(4), pp. 574-576. (10.1093/bjd/ljad503)
- Rawlings, G. H., Gaskell, C., Beail, N., Thompson, A. and Armstrong, I. 2024. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of emPHasis‐10: The health‐related quality‐of‐life measure in pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary Circulation 14(2), article number: e12378. (10.1002/pul2.12378)
- Andrew, L. and Thompson, A. 2024. Next steps for the psychological workforce in Wales. Clinical Psychology Forum 375, pp. 21-28. (10.53841/bpscpf.2024.1.375.21)
- Clarke, E. N., Norman, P. and Thompson, A. R. 2024. Online compassion-based self-help for depression in people with skin conditions: a feasibility study. Pilot and Feasibility Studies 10, article number: 63. (10.1186/s40814-024-01486-4)
- Radev, S., Freeth, M. and Thompson, A. R. 2024. How healthcare systems are experienced by autistic adults in the United Kingdom: A meta-ethnography. Autism 28(9), pp. 2166-2178. (10.1177/13623613241235531)
- Thompson, A. 2024. CAT for long- term health conditions. In: Brummer, L., Cavieres, M. and Tan, R. eds. Oxford Handbook of Cognitive Analytic Therapy. Oxford Library of Psychology Oxford University Press, pp. 557-571., (10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198866572.013.33)
- Rawlings, G. H., Bowmer, G., Armstrong, I. and Thompson, A. R. 2024. Update to: Self-help cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety in pulmonary hypertension. ERJ Open Research
- Wedge, H. E. F., Waddington, L. and Thompson, A. R. 2024. Experiences of imagery in obsessive-compulsive disorder: an interpretative phenomenological analysis. British Journal of Clinical Psychology
2023
- Powell, L. D., Vasiliou, V. S. and Thompson, A. R. 2023. An ACT self-help intervention for adults with a visible difference in appearance: A pilot feasibility and acceptability randomized controlled study. Body Image 47, article number: 101637. (10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.101637)
- Eleftheriadou, V. and Thompson, A. 2023. Skin is a window to one's inner world. British Journal of Dermatology 189(5), pp. 501-502. (10.1093/bjd/ljad300)
- Heapy, C., Norman, P., Cockayne, S. and Thompson, A. R. 2023. The effectiveness of mindfulness based cognitive therapy for social anxiety symptoms in people living with alopecia areata: a single-group case-series design. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy 51(5), pp. 381-395. (10.1017/S1352465823000292)
- Rawlings, G. H., Novakova, B., Armstrong, I. and Thompson, A. 2023. A systematic review of psychological interventions in adults with pulmonary hypertension: Is the evidence-base disproportionate to the problem?. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 17(9), pp. 966-972. (10.1111/crj.13685)
- Wilson, R. B., Thompson, A. R., Rowse, G., Smith, R., Dugdale, A. and Freeth, M. 2023. Autistic women’s experiences of self-compassion and receiving their diagnosis in adulthood. Autism 27(5), pp. 1336-1347. (10.1177/13623613221136752)
- Beugen, S. v. et al. 2023. Perceived stigmatisation among dermatological outpatients compared to controls: An observational multicenter study in 17 European countries. Acta Dermato Venereologica 103, article number: adv6485. (10.2340/actadv.v103.6485)
- Wren, G. et al. 2023. Characterising heart rhythm abnormalities associated with Xp22.31 deletion. Journal of Medical Genetics 60, pp. 636-643. (10.1136/jmg-2022-108862)
- Wilson, R. B., Thompson, A. R., Rowse, G. and Freeth, M. 2023. The experience of seeking, receiving, and reflecting upon a diagnosis of autism in the UK: A meta-synthesis of qualitative studies conducted with autistic individuals. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 103, article number: 102135. (10.1016/j.rasd.2023.102135)
- Vasiliou, S., Russell, H., Cockayne, S., Coelho, G. L. d. H. and Thompson, A. R. 2023. A network analysis of psychological flexibility, coping, and stigma in dermatology patients. Frontiers in Medicine 10 (10.3389/fmed.2023.1075672)
- Hughes, O., Shelton, K. H., Penny, H. and Thompson, A. R. 2023. Parent and child experience of skin conditions: relevance for the provision of mindfulness-based interventions. British Journal of Dermatology 188(4), pp. 514-523. (10.1093/bjd/ljac129)
- Hughes, O., Shelton, K. H., Penny, H. and Thompson, A. R. 2023. Living with physical health conditions: a systematic review of mindfulness-based interventions for children, adolescents, and their parents. Journal of Pediatric Psychology 48(4), pp. 396-413. (10.1093/jpepsy/jsad003)
- Adkins, K., Overton, P. G., Moses, J. and Thompson, A. 2023. Investigating the role of upward comparisons and self-compassion on stigma in people with acne: cross-sectional study. JMIR Dermatology 6, article number: e45368. (10.2196/45368)
- Phelan, I. et al. 2023. Designing effective virtual reality environments for pain management in burn-injured patients. Virtual Reality 27, pp. 201-215. (10.1007/s10055-021-00552-z)
- Rawlings, G. H., Novakova, B., Armstrong, I. and Thompson, A. R. 2023. Can self‐compassion help us better understand the impact of pulmonary hypertension on those with the condition and their carers? A cross‐sectional analysis. Pulmonary Circulation 13(1), article number: e12208. (10.1002/pul2.12208)
- Rawlings, G. H., Thompson, A. R., Armstrong, I. and Beail, N. 2023. What is the psychosocial burden of COVID-19 on people with pulmonary hypertension?. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 17(2), pp. 124-126. (10.1111/crj.13570)
2022
- Adkins, K. V., Overton, P. G. and Thompson, A. R. 2022. A brief online writing intervention improves positive body image in adults living with dermatological conditions. Frontiers in Medicine 9, article number: 1064012. (10.3389/fmed.2022.1064012)
- Rawlings, G. H., Thompson, A. R., Armstrong, I., Novakova, B. and Beail, N. 2022. Cognitive and behavioural processes predict anxiety and depression in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary Circulation, article number: e12174. (10.1002/pul2.12174)
- Rowe, R., Stride, C. B., Day, M. R., Thompson, A. R., McKenna, F. P. and Poulter, D. R. 2022. Why are newly qualified motorists at high crash risk? Modelling driving behaviours across the first six months of driving. Accident Analysis & Prevention 177, article number: 106832. (10.1016/j.aap.2022.106832)
- Hewitt, R. M. et al. 2022. A mixed methods systematic review of digital interventions to support the psychological health and well-being of people living with dermatological conditions. Frontiers in Medicine (10.3389/fmed.2022.1024879)
- Thompson, A. R., Eleftheriadou, V. and Nesnas, J. 2022. The mental health associations of vitiligo: UK population-based cohort study. BJPsych Open 8(6), pp. 1-7., article number: e190. (10.1192/bjo.2022.591)
- Clarke, E. N., Norman, P. and Thompson, A. R. 2022. How does self-compassion help people adjust to chronic skin conditions? A template analysis study. Frontiers in Medicine 9, article number: 974816. (10.3389/fmed.2022.974816)
- Heapy, C., Norman, P., Emerson, L., Murphy, R., Bögels, S. and Thompson, A. R. 2022. Mindful parenting intervention for parents of children with skin conditions: a single group experimental cases series. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy 50(5), pp. 462-480. (10.1017/S1352465822000170)
- Macbeth, A. E. et al. 2022. The associated burden of mental health conditions in alopecia areata: A population-based study in UK primary care. British Journal of Dermatology 187(1), pp. 73-81. (10.1111/bjd.21055)
- Schut, C. et al. 2022. Body dysmorphia in common skin diseases: Results of an observational, cross-sectional multi-centre study among dermatological out-patients in 17 European countries. British Journal of Dermatology 187(1), pp. 115-125. (10.1111/bjd.21021)
- Rawlings, G. H., Thompson, A. R., Armstrong, I., Novakova, B. and Beail, N. 2022. Coping styles associated with depression, health anxiety and health-related quality of life in pulmonary hypertension: cross-sectional analysis. BMJ Open 12(8), article number: e062564. (10.1136/bmjopen-2022-062564)
- Wren, G., Humby, T., Thompson, A. and Davies, W. 2022. Mood symptoms, neurodevelopmental traits, and their contributory factors in X-linked ichthyosis, ichthyosis vulgaris and psoriasis. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 47(6), pp. 1097-1108. (10.1111/ced.15116)
- Muftin, Z., Gilbert, P. and Thompson, A. R. 2022. A randomised controlled feasibility trial of online compassion-focused self-help for psoriasis. British Journal of Dermatology 186(6), pp. 955-962. (10.1111/bjd.21020)
- Rawlings, G. H., Beail, N., Condliffe, R., Kiely, D. G., Thompson, A. R., Sabroe, I. and Armstrong, I. 2022. Examining the impact of pulmonary hypertension on nonprofessional caregivers: a mixed-methods systematic review. Pulmonary Circulation 12(2), article number: e12077. (10.1002/pul2.12077)
- Tour, S. K., Thompson, A., Howard, R. A. and Larkin, M. 2022. Experiences of blogging about visible and long-term skin conditions: interpretative phenomenologica analysis. JMIR Dermatology 5(2), article number: e29980. (10.2196/29980)
- Rawlings, G. H., Beail, N., Armstrong, I. and Thompson, A. R. 2022. Self-help cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety in pulmonary hypertension: pilot randomised controlled trial. ERJ Open Research 8(1), article number: 00526-2021. (10.1183/23120541.00526-2021)
- Eleftheriadou, V. et al. 2022. British Association of Dermatologists guidelines for the management of people with vitiligo 2021. British Journal of Dermatology 186(1), pp. 18-29. (10.1111/bjd.20596)
- Wheeler, M., Guterres, S., Bewley, A. and Thompson, A. 2022. An analysis of qualitative responses from a UK survey of the psychosocial wellbeing of people with skin conditions and their experiences of accessing psychological support. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 47(1), pp. 37-42. (10.1111/ced.14815)
- Finch, K., Lawrence, D., Williams, M., Thompson, A. and Hartwright, C. 2022. A systematic review of the effectiveness of safewards: Has enthusiasm exceeded evidence?. Issues in Mental Health Nursing 43(2), pp. 119-136. (10.1080/01612840.2021.1967533)
- Ahmed, A. et al. 2022. British Association of Dermatologists guidelines for the management of adults with delusional infestation 2022.
2021
- Heapy, C., Norman, P., Emerson, L., Murphy, R., Bögels, S. and Thompson, A. R. 2021. Is parental mindfulness associated with quality of life and itch intensity in children with psoriasis and eczema and well-being in parents?. Mindfulness 12, pp. 2707-2717. (10.1007/s12671-021-01733-2)
- Singleton, H. et al. 2021. Psychological and educational interventions for managing eczema. Cochrane Library 11, article number: CD014932. (10.1002/14651858.CD014932)
- Dugdale, A., Thompson, A. R., Leedham, A., Beail, N. and Freeth, M. 2021. Intense connection and love: The experiences of autistic mothers. Autism 25(7), pp. 1973-1984. (10.1177/13623613211005987)
- Lam, E. and Thompson, A. 2021. Cultural nuances of skin shame: a qualitative study of skin conditions in Chinese women living in the UK. Dermatological Nursing 20(2), pp. 29-35.
- Lüßmann, K., Montgomery, K., Thompson, A., Gieler, U., Zick, C., Kupfer, J. and Schut, C. 2021. Mindfulness as predictor of itch catastrophizing in patients with atopic dermatitis: eesults of a cross-sectional questionnaire study. Frontiers in Medicine 8, article number: 627611. (10.3389/fmed.2021.627611)
- Harries, M. et al. 2021. Epidemiology, management and the associated burden of mental health illness, atopic and autoimmune conditions, and common infections in alopecia areata: protocol for an observational study series. BMJ Open 11(11), article number: e045718. (10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045718)
2020
- Thompson, A. R., Guterres, S. and Bewley, A. P. 2020. Psychodermatological research priorities identified by Priority Setting Partnerships. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 45(8), pp. 1106. (10.1111/ced.14447)
- Rawlings, G. H., Beail, N., Armstrong, I., Condliffe, R., Kiely, D. G., Sabroe, I. and Thompson, A. R. 2020. Adults’ experiences of living with pulmonary hypertension: a thematic synthesis of qualitative studies. BMJ Open 10(12), article number: 41428. (10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041428)
- Jenkinson, R., Milne, E. and Thompson, A. 2020. The relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety in autism: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Autism 24(8), pp. 1933--1944. (10.1177/1362361320932437)
- Moss, K., Johnston, S. A. and Thompson, A. R. 2020. The parent and child experience of childhood vitiligo: an interpretative phenomenological analysis. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry 25(4), pp. 740--753. (10.1177/1359104520905052)
- Clarke, E. N., Thompson, A. R. and Norman, P. 2020. Depression in people with skin conditions: the effects of disgust and self‐compassion. British Journal of Health Psychology 25(3), pp. 540-557. (10.1111/bjhp.12421)
- Heapy, C., Montgomery, K., Ersser, S., Gass, M., Goad, N. and Thompson, A. R. 2020. A psychosocial support website from the British Association of Dermatologists for people living with a skin condition: mixed methods evaluation. JMIR Dermatology 3(1), article number: e17052. (10.2196/17052)
- Thompson, A. and Cockayne, S. 2020. It's the worry that got him in the end: the importance in treating melanoma holistically and dealing with fear of recurrence. British Journal of Dermatology 182(4), pp. 821--822. (10.1111/bjd.18886)
- Coneo, A. M., Thompson, A. R., Parker, K. and Harrison, G. 2020. The outcome of a training programme (RESPECT) on staff’s attitudes towards causes and management of aggression in a Regional Referral Hospital of northern Uganda. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 27(1), pp. 25-40. (10.1111/jpm.12549)
- Thompson, A. R., Sewards, I. and Baker, S. R. 2020. Cancer and changes in facial appearance: A meta‐ethnography of qualitative studies. British Journal of Health Psychology 25(1), pp. 129-151. (10.1111/bjhp.12398)
- Leedham, A., Thompson, A., Smith, R. and Freeth, M. 2020. ‘I was exhausted trying to figure it out’: the experiences of females receiving an autism diagnosis in middle to late adulthood. Autism 24(1), pp. 135-146. (10.1177/1362361319853442)
- Shepherd, L., Turner, A., Reynolds, D. P. and Thompson, A. R. 2020. Acceptance and commitment therapy for appearance anxiety: three case studies. Scars, Burns & Healing 6 (10.1177/2059513120967584)
2019
- Iliffe, L. and Thompson, A. 2019. Investigating the beneficial experiences of online peer support for those affected by alopecia: an interpretative phenomenological analysis using online interviews. British Journal of Dermatology 181(5), pp. 992-998. (10.1111/bjd.17998)
- Pasterfield, M., Clarke, S. -. and Thompson, A. R. 2019. A qualitative examination of the experience of skin camouflage by people living with visible skin conditions. British Journal of Dermatology 180(6), pp. 1531-1532. (10.1111/bjd.17646)
- Shepherd, L., Reynolds, D. P., Turner, A., O'Boyle, C. P. and Thompson, A. R. 2019. The role of psychological flexibility in appearance anxiety in people who have experienced a visible burn injury. Burns 45(4), pp. 942-949. (10.1016/j.burns.2018.11.015)
- Marriott, M. R., Thompson, A. R., Cockshutt, G. and Rowse, G. 2019. Narrative insight in psychosis: The relationship with spiritual and religious explanatory frameworks. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice 92(1), pp. 74-90. (10.1111/papt.12178)
- Pasterfield, M., Clarke, S. and Thompson, A. R. 2019. The development of a self-help intervention to build social confidence in people living with visible skin conditions or scars: a think-aloud study. Scars, Burns & Healing 5, pp. 1-8. (10.1177/2059513118822954)
2018
- Krasuska, M., Lavda, A. C., Thompson, A. R. and Millings, A. 2018. The role of adult attachment orientation and coping in psychological adjustment to living with skin conditions. British Journal of Dermatology 178(6), pp. 1396-1403. (10.1111/bjd.16268)
- Thompson, A. R. and Montgomery, K. 2018. Stress and more stress: the importance in skin disease of worrying about what others think. British Journal of Dermatology 178(4), pp. 821-822. (10.1111/bjd.16469)
- Krasuska, M., Millings, A., Lavda, A. C. and Thompson, A. R. 2018. Compassion-focused self-help for skin conditions in individuals with insecure attachment: a pilot evaluation of acceptability and potential effectiveness. British Journal of Dermatology 178(2), pp. e122-e123. (10.1111/bjd.15934)
- Johnston, S., Krasuska, M., Millings, A., Lavda, A. and Thompson, A. 2018. Experiences of rosacea and its treatment: an interpretative phenomenological analysis. British Journal of Dermatology 178(1), pp. 154-160. (10.1111/bjd.15780)
- Yeates, R., Rospigliosi, E. and Thompson, A. R. 2018. A mixed methods evaluation of medical tattooing for people who have experienced a burn injury. Scars, Burns & Healing 4, pp. 1-10. (10.1177/2059513118784721)
2017
- Thompson, A. R. and Bewley, A. P. 2017. Meeting the psychological needs of dermatology patients. British Journal of Dermatology 176(4), pp. 858-859. (10.1111/bjd.15161)
- Webster, R., Thompson, A. R., Norman, P. and Goodacre, S. 2017. The acceptability and feasibility of an anxiety reduction intervention for emergency department patients with non-cardiac chest pain. Psychology, Health and Medicine 22(1), pp. 1-11. (10.1080/13548506.2016.1144891)
2016
- Ablett, K. and Thompson, A. R. 2016. Parental, child, and adolescent experience of chronic skin conditions: a meta-ethnography and review of the qualitative literature. Body Image 19, pp. 175--185. (10.1016/j.bodyim.2016.10.001)
- Homer, C. V., Tod, A. M., Thompson, A. R., Allmark, P. and Goyder, E. 2016. Expectations and patients' experiences of obesity prior to bariatric surgery: A qualitative study. BMJ Open 6, article number: e009389. (10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009389)
2015
- Hague, B., Sills, J. and Thompson, A. R. 2015. An evaluation of the benefits to a UK Health Care Trust working in a partnership with a hospital in Northern Uganda: international partnership working in mental health. Globalization and Health 11, article number: 52. (10.1186/s12992-015-0134-8)
- Webster, R., Thompson, A. R. and Norman, P. 2015. 'Everything's fine, so why does it happen?' A qualitative investigation of patients' perceptions of noncardiac chest pain. Journal of Clinical Nursing 24(13-14), pp. 1936-1945. (10.1111/jocn.12841)
- Moss, T. P. et al. 2015. Identification of the underlying factor structure of the derriford appearance scale 24. PeerJ 3, article number: e1070. (10.7717/peerj.1070)
- Liddle, M. J., Baker, S. R., Smith, K. G. and Thompson, A. R. 2015. Psychosocial outcomes in orthognathic surgery: a review of the literature. The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal 52(4), pp. 458-470. (10.1597/14-021)
2014
- Shah, R., Hunt, J., Webb, T. L. and Thompson, A. R. 2014. Starting to develop self-help for social anxiety associated with vitiligo: using clinical significance to measure the potential effectiveness of enhanced psychological self-help. British Journal of Dermatology 171(2), pp. 332-337. (10.1111/bjd.12990)
- Webster, R., Norman, P., Goodacre, S., Thompson, A. R. and McEachan, R. R. 2014. Illness representations, psychological distress and non-cardiac chest pain in patients attending an emergency department. Psychology and Health 29(11), pp. 1265-1282. (10.1080/08870446.2014.923885)
- Thompson, A. R. and Taylor, N. 2014. Developing a health link partnership with dermatology services in Nigeria: preliminary feedback from a tropical health education trust start-up project. Clinical Psychology Forum(258), pp. 56-60.
- Moss, T. P. et al. 2014. Salience and valence of appearance in a population with a visible difference of appearance: direct and moderated relationships with self-consciousness, anxiety and depression. PLOS ONE 9(2), article number: e88435. (10.1371/journal.pone.0088435)
- Ersser, S. et al. 2014. Psychological and educational interventions for atopic eczema in children (Review). The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2017(5), article number: CD004054. (10.1002/14651858.CD004054.pub3)
2013
- Clarke, S., Newell, R., Thompson, A., Harcourt, D. and Lindenmeyer, A. 2013. Appearance concerns and psychosocial adjustment following head and neck cancer: a cross-sectional study and nine-month follow-up. Psychology, Health and Medicine 19(5), pp. 505-518. (10.1080/13548506.2013.855319)
- Muftin, Z. and Thompson, A. R. 2013. A systematic review of self-help for disfigurement: effectiveness, usability, and acceptability. Body Image 10(4), pp. 442-450. (10.1016/j.bodyim.2013.07.005)
- McBain, H. et al. 2013. The impact of appearance concerns on depression and anxiety in rheumatoid arthritis. Musculoskeletal Care 11(1), pp. 19-30. (10.1002/msc.1020)
2012
- Lavda, A., Webb, T. and Thompson, A. 2012. A meta-analysis of the effectiveness of psychological interventions for adults with skin conditions. British Journal of Dermatology 167(5), pp. 970-979. (10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.11183.x)
- Webster, R., Norman, P., Goodacre, S. and Thompson, A. 2012. The prevalence and correlates of psychological outcomes in patients with acute non-cardiac chest pain: A systematic review. Emergency Medicine Journal 29(4), pp. 267-273. (10.1136/emermed-2011-200526)
- McCarthy-Jones, S., Marriott, M., Knowles, R., Rowse, G. and Thompson, A. R. 2012. What is psychosis? A meta-synthesis of inductive qualitative studies exploring the experience of psychosis. Psychosis 5(1), pp. 1-16. (10.1080/17522439.2011.647051)
- Thompson, A. and Russo, K. 2012. Ethical dilemmas for clinical psychologists in conducting qualitative research. Qualitative Research in Psychology 9(1), pp. 32-46. (10.1080/14780887.2012.630636)
2011
- Rayner, K., Thompson, A. and Walsh, S. 2011. Clients' experience of the process of change in cognitive analytic therapy. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice 84(3), pp. 299-313. (10.1348/147608310X531164)
- James, H. et al. 2011. Appearance concerns in ophthalmic patients. Eye 25(8), pp. 1039-1044. (10.1038/eye.2011.116)
- Thompson, A. R. and Chambers, E. 2011. Ethical issues in qualitative mental health research. In: Qualitative Research Methods in Mental Health and Psychotherapy. United Kingdom: John Wiley and Sons, pp. 23-37., (10.1002/9781119973249.ch3)
- Egan, K. et al. 2011. A qualitative study of the experiences of people who identify themselves as having adjusted positively to a visible difference. Journal of Health Psychology 16(5), pp. 739-749. (10.1177/1359105310390246)
- Thompson, A., Larkin, M. and Smith, J. 2011. Interpretative phenomenological analysis and clinical psychology training: Results from a survey of the Group of Trainers in Clinical Psychology (Review). Clinical Psychology Forum(222), pp. 15-19.
- Harper, D. and Thompson, A. R. 2011. Emerging issues and future directions. In: Qualitative Research Methods in Mental Health and Psychotherapy: A Guide for Students and Practitioners. United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, pp. 243-250., (10.1002/9781119973249.ch17)
- Larkin, M. and Thompson, A. R. 2011. Interpretative phenomenological analysis in mental health and psychotherapy research. In: Qualitative Research Methods in Mental Health and Psychotherapy. United Kingdom: John Wiley and Sons, pp. 99-116., (10.1002/9781119973249.ch8)
2010
- Martindale, S., Chambers, E. and Thompson, A. 2010. Clinical psychology service users' experiences of confidentiality and informed consent: A qualitative analysis. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice 82(4), pp. 355-368. (10.1348/147608309X444730)
- Thompson, A. R. et al. 2010. Vitiligo linked to stigmatization in British South Asian women: a qualitative study of the experiences of living with vitiligo. British Journal of Dermatology 163(3), pp. 481-486. (10.1111/j.1365-2133.2010.09828.x)
- Palayiwa, A., Sheeran, P. and Thompson, A. 2010. "Words will never hurt me!": implementation intentions regulate attention to stigmatizing comments about appearance. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology 29(5), pp. 575-598. (10.1521/jscp.2010.29.5.575)
2009
- Donnison, J., Thompson, A. R. and Turpin, G. 2009. A qualitative exploration of communication within the community mental health team: Feature article. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing 18(5), pp. 310-317. (10.1111/j.1447-0349.2009.00620.x)
- Johnson, H., Thompson, A. and Downs, M. 2009. Non-Western interpreters' experiences of trauma: The protective role of culture following exposure to oppression. Ethnicity and Health 14(4), pp. 407-418. (10.1080/13557850802621449)
2008
- Biggerstaff, D. and Thompson, A. R. 2008. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA): A qualitative methodology of choice in healthcare research. Qualitative Research in Psychology 5(3), pp. 214-224. (10.1080/14780880802314304)
- Clarke, Z. J., Thompson, A. R., Buchan, L. and Combes, H. 2008. Parents' experiences of pain and discomfort in people with learning disabilities. British Journal of Learning Disabilities 36(2), pp. 84-90. (10.1111/j.1468-3156.2007.00467.x)
- Thompson, A. R., Powis, J. and Carradice, A. 2008. Community psychiatric nurses' experience of working with people who engage in deliberate self-harm: Feature Article. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing 17(3), pp. 153-161. (10.1111/j.1447-0349.2008.00533.x)
- Thompson, A. R., Donnison, J., Warnock-Parkes, E., Turpin, G., Turner, J. and Kerr, I. B. 2008. Multidisciplinary community mental health team staff's experience of a 'skills level' training course in cognitive analytic therapy. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing 17(2), pp. 131-137. (10.1111/j.1447-0349.2008.00521.x)
- Saradjian, A., Thompson, A. R. and Datta, D. 2008. The experience of men using an upper limb prosthesis following amputation: Positive coping and minimizing feeling different. Disability and Rehabilitation 30(11), pp. 871-883. (10.1080/09638280701427386)
- Marriott, C. and Thompson, A. R. 2008. Managing threats to femininity: Personal and interpersonal experience of living with vulval pain. Psychology and Health 23(2), pp. 243-258. (10.1080/14768320601168185)
2007
- Johnson, H. and Thompson, A. 2007. The development and maintenance of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in civilian adult survivors of war trauma and torture: A review. Clinical Psychology Review 28(1), pp. 36-47. (10.1016/j.cpr.2007.01.017)
- Edwards, C. R., Thompson, A. R. and Blair, A. 2007. An 'overwhelming illness': Women's experiences of learning to live with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis. Journal of Health Psychology 12(2), pp. 203-214. (10.1177/1359105307071747)
2005
- Grandfield, T. A., Thompson, A. R. and Turpin, G. 2005. An attitudinal study of responses to a range of dermatological conditions using the Implicit Association Test. Journal of Health Psychology 10(6), pp. 821-829. (10.1177/1359105305057316)
- Lobeck, M., Thompson, A. R. and Shankland, M. C. 2005. The experience of stroke for men in retirement transition. Qualitative Health Research 15(8), pp. 1022-1036. (10.1177/1049732305280772)
2004
- Nicholl, C. and Thompson, A. 2004. The psychological treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in adult refugees: A review of the current state of psychological therapies. Journal of Mental Health 13(4), pp. 351-362. (10.1080/09638230410001729807)
2002
- Thompson, A. R., Kent, G. and Smith, J. A. 2002. Living with vitiligo: Dealing with difference. British Journal of Health Psychology 7(2), pp. 213-225. (10.1348/135910702169457)
- Thompson, A. and Beail, N. 2002. The treatment of auto-erotic asphyxiation in a man with severe intellectual disabilities: The effectiveness of a behavioural and educational programme. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities 15(1), pp. 36-47. (10.1046/j.1360-2322.2001.00095.x)
2001
- Thompson, A. and Kent, G. 2001. Adjusting to disfigurement: Processes involved in dealing with being visibly different. Clinical Psychology Review 21(5), pp. 663-682. (10.1016/S0272-7358(00)00056-8)
1997
- Peace, K., Orme, S., Sebastian, J., Thompson, A., Barnes, S., Ellis, A. and Belchetz, P. 1997. The effect of treatment variables on mood and social adjustment in adult patients with pituitary disease. Clinical Endocrinology 46(4), pp. 445-450. (10.1046/j.1365-2265.1997.1600971.x)
- Peace, K., Orme, S., Thompson, A., Padayatty, S., Ellis, A. and Belchetz, P. 1997. Cognitive dysfunction in patients treated for pituitary tumours. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology 19(1), pp. 1-6. (10.1080/01688639708403831)
Professor Thompson's research on the psychological consequences of conditions affecting appearance has been used within clinical guidelines to improve patient care for people living with skin conditions. It has also directly developed and contributed to the availability of a number of self-help resources and assisted in shaping NHS service delivery for dermatology patients.It formed a REF2021 case study which can be found here. Professor Thompson also has a secondary research interest in experience of service use and wellbeing in autism.
Publications:
Professor Thompson has over 100 peer reviewed articles and 200 peer reviewed conference presentations. Details of peer reviewed publications can be found on orcid.
Details of a CBT-based psychosocial intervention manual for use with individuals experiencing distress associated with having a perceived or noticeable visible difference can be found here. Professor Thompson has also co-edited a qualitative methods handbook specifically focused on methods for use by mental health and psychotherapy postgraduates and practitioners that can be found here.
Professor Thompson has authored over fourteen book chapters on topics related to research methods, appearance concern, or psychological aspects of skin disease. Some examples of book chapters on psychosocial aspects of skin conditions can be found here and on anxiety here.
Research funding:
To support research activity associated with psychological aspects of visible difference significant funding has been received from a number of funding bodies including NIHR, MRC, ESRC, The Healing Foundation, The British Skin Foundation, The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Association, and Alopecia UK.
Examples of recent funding received:
NIHR (2021- ) - Developing and testing an online intervention to support self-management, improve outcomes and reduce antibiotic use in acne (£1,901,577.00)
Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Association (2017-2019) - Examining the association between parental mindfulness in parental and child wellbeing in childhood psoriasis: Should we test mindful parenting as an intervention (£66,097)
Select examples of previous funding include:
METRC (2014) - Understanding the psychosocial impact of skin conditions and developing learning and teaching resources for dermatology healthcare professionals (£40,000)
Healing Foundation (2004) - Identifying factors and processes contributing to successful adjustment to disfiguring conditions in collaboration (£500,000) - in collaboration with colleagues in The University of Sheffield, UCL, UWE, University of Bradford, University of Warwick
Professor Thompson has also received funding to support the development of good research governance practice from JISC and received funding from The Tropical Health Education Trust to support research associated with global mental health in Uganda.
Examples of funding in these areas include:
QR Global Challenge Research Fund (2019) - Delivery of sustainable low intensity mental health interventions, training, and mental health promotion in Northern Uganda (£39,482)
Tropical Health Education Trust (2015) - Respectful Management of Violence and Aggression Training in Gulu Regional Referral Hospital and Surrounding Districts (£82,748) - in collaboration with colleagues in Sheffield Health & Social Care NHS Foundation Trust & Gulu Regional Referral Hospital.
JISC (2010) - Postgraduate training for research data management in the psychological sciences (£57,870) - in collaboration with colleagues in The University of York, Sheffield Hallam University
Supervision
Postgraduate research interests
Information on research expertise and interests can be found in the overview and research tabs. Particular interest in supervising research associated with psychosocial aspects of long-term conditions that affect appearance, and in particular psychological aspects of skin disease.
If interested in undertaking a PhD in this area please contact Andrew and visit this site to learn how to make a formal application to study at Cardiff University
Current students
PhD - Olivia Hughes - Developing a mindfulness-based online support resource to support children and their families affected by skin conditions
PhD - Georgina Wren - Investigating the prevalence and impact of psychological issues and mood disorders related to X-linked Ichthyosis
PhD - Dr Laura Shepherd - Predicting the development of appearance anxiety following burn injuries and initial evaluation of an early intervention - NIHR Clinical Research Doctoral Fellowship award
In addition to these PhD studentships Andrew is supervising multiple clinical psychology doctorates related to clinical health psychology or autism.
Past projects
Professor Thompson has successfully supervised eight PhD studentships including four which were supported by competitive research council funding applications such as ESRC CASE and MRC awards. He have successfully supervised over 50 clinical psychology doctorates and over 10 masters students. Several students have gained awards for their work including The Seymour Fisher Outstanding Body Image Dissertation Annual Award (Z. Muftin - 2012 - A Randomised Controlled Feasibility Trial of Online Compassion-focused Self-Help for Psoriasis), The University of Sheffield Enterprise Award (K. Montgomery - 2016 - Mindfulness and skin conditions), The Association of Clinical Psychologists Clinical Psychology Doctorate Award (A. Leedham - 2020 - Female experience of autism), and The Dvision of Clinical Psychology Trainee Research Award (G.Rawlings - 2022 - A Randomised Controlled Feasibility Trial of Cognitive Behavioural Self-Help for Pulmonary Hypertension.