Teenagers are often portrayed as unhappy, problematic and difficult to live with. However, many of us may forget that the adolescent stage manifests in rapid physical, psychological, cognitive and socio-cultural changes for young people that occur at a time when a sense of identity and autonomy is being established. So, […]
SPHeRE Blog
Fine motor skill development and the 21st century child
Growing up as a child in the 21st century is not as easy as we may think. In addition to not being as physically active and being at greater risk of obesity, children today are falling behind in terms of fine motor skill development. Fine motor skills involve the use […]
Smoking prevalence and attributable disease burden
This Lancet study published on 5th April 2017 (http://thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(17)30819-X/fulltext) systematically analysed almost 3000 data sources across 195 countries between 1990 and 2015 to demonstrate comprehensively that smoking is still one of the main killers worldwide. This huge undertaking was possible owing to a large Global Collaborator Network which the […]
Spousal relationships, relationship quality and sexual activity in middle and older age
Research into ageing continues to increase in importance, as an ageing society poses both opportunities and challenges. The population aged 65 and over in Ireland is projected to nearly double by 2031 (CSO 2013). Relationships in older age are a recognised as an important source of wellbeing and social support, […]
Treating a mildly underactive thyroid – levothyroxine may not be the answer
It is controversial how to best treat individuals with subclinical hypothyroidism. There is some observational data that it may be associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease but that it may also have a protective role in those ≥ 85 years. This led investigators to establish the TRUST trial. […]
Darkness into Light: Not just a fundraiser, but a psychological intervention for those bereaved by suicide.
“Suicide doesn’t end the pain. It just passes it on to someone else”. The oft repeated words of Kim Kipper, a psychotherapist and mother speaking at a memorial event for four young students in a US high school who had taken their own life (Bonds Staples, 2013), accurately reflect the […]
Lifestyle Behaviours for Health and Wellbeing
Introduction In Ireland, the Department of Health has made a number of commitments to understanding and improving the health of our population. The vision for a Healthy Ireland is to create a supportive society where all individuals can enjoy health and wellbeing to their full potential. Though we have made […]
Using assistive technology to support therapeutic interventions with people with dementia.
My research is based in the dementia field and it ranges from dementia care to health and social policy regarding dementia. On the EU-FP7-project, Dementia Ambient Care (Dem@Care, www.demcare.eu) I researched the use of ambient and wearable sensors to provide individualised support for people with mild dementia in five areas: […]
Weekly update
Vacancies Post-doctoral researcher: The Epilepsy RCQPS project are currently recruiting for a post-doctoral researcher for a 10 month contract. This contract is ideally suited to scholars who recently completed a PhD and are waiting to take up another post-doc position. The Epilepsy RCQPS project is a nationwide project using ethnography […]
Weekly update
Vacancies Mindfulness and Multiple Sclerosis Project (2 years Part-time), School of Psychology & Centre for Pain Research, NUI Galway: Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a part time, fixed term position as a Researcher (Research Assistant or Postdoctoral Researcher level) in the School of Psychology and Centre for Pain […]