Resilience and Health lab Projects

Our research is informed by a wide range of research paradigms, methodologies and analytical techniques. These include but are not limited to structural equation modelling, thematic analysis, interpretative phenomenological analysis, mixed methods designs, Delphi method, secondary data analysis, systematic review & meta-analysis.

Your Youth Health Project: Exploring the impact of COVID-19 in youth health and well-being

Principal Investigator: Dr Niki Nearchou
Funder: Healthy Ireland, Pobal
Collaborators: Prof Eilis Hennessy, Dr Christine Linehan, Lorna Kerin (Children & Young People’s Services Committee).
Research Staff: Clodagh Flinn

This project aims to explore how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted on the mental and physical well-being of young people aged 12-25 years. It also aims to identify protective factors associated with resilience that help young people cope during this pandemic

Key publications:

Nearchou, F., Flinn, C., Niland, R., Subramaniam, S. S., & Hennessy, E. (2020). Exploring the impact of CoViD-19 on mental health outcomes in children and adolescents: a systematic review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(22),  8479, (opens in a new window)https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17228479

Nearchou et al., (2022). Your Youth Health Project: Exploring the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health and well-being of young people in Ireland. A report of findings for the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown region. University College Dublin. (opens in a new window)https://researchrepository.ucd.ie/handle/10197/12798 

Resilience pathways and well-being in young people with chronic skin Conditions 

Principal Investigators: Clodagh Flinn and Dr Niki Nearchou
Funder: UCD Ad Astra Fellowship

The overarching aim of this research is to explore the impact of chronic skin conditions on young people’s psychological well-being and quality of life. Also, this project aims to identify and  understand the mechanisms underpinning factors associated with resilience in young people living with a chronic skin condition.

Investigating the Psychosocial Burden of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Principal Investigators: Dr Varsha Eswara-Murphy, Dr Paul D’Alton, Dr Niki Nearchou
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a long-term, recurrent, debilitating inflammatory dermatological disease of the hair follicles, associated with devastating disruptions to psychosocial functioning.

This project includes i) a scoping review of the psychosocial factors impacted by HS. Findings from the scoping review will provide insight into the psychological supports desired by this population. ii) A quantitative study aiming to examine levels of psychological distress, quality of life, shame, stigma, and mental health histories; assess potential risk and protective factors; and explore current access to and needs related to psychological supports.

This project is implemented in collaboration with St Vincent’s University Hospital.

Stigma and Alcohol Dependence in Addiction Service users: Insights from a qualitative study in Ireland

Principal Investigators: Dr Amy Watchorn, Dr Niki Nearchou
Funder: Saint John of God Research Foundation
Research Staff: Amy Buckley

This project aimed to identify patterns of alcohol related stigma in treatment seeking, adherence to treatment and related outcomes within addiction services in Ireland. Objectives: 1) To explore the role of alcohol related public stigma and self-stigma in service users with alcohol dependence, family members and staff.  2) To inform decisions on improving the delivery of addiction services by generating research-based evidence.

Psycho-social determinants of partner notification and screening intentions for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Principal Investigator: Dr Niki Nearchou
Funder: University College Dublin, Seed Funding.
Research Staff: Rachel Niland

In the light of STI epidemics this project aimed to enhance our knowledge on the mechanisms underlying Partner Notification and screening intentions for curable (e.g gonorrhoea) and non curable (e.g. HPV) STIs. The research objectives of this project are i) to explore STI-related knowledge and attitudes towards STI screening in adults and ii) to identify the patterns of relationships between attitudes towards partner notification, stigma and STI-related treatment seeking.

Key publications:

Niland, R., & Nearchou, F. (2020). Self-efficacy and outcome beliefs as predictors of intentions to notify partners for sexually transmitted infections in Ireland. International Journal of Health Promotion and Education, 58(1), 42-50. (opens in a new window)http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14635240.2019.1671890

Le Cheile: Health and Well-being in young adults with chronic conditions

Principal Investigators: Prof Eilis Hennessy & Dr Niki Nearchou
Funder: University College Dublin, Seed Funding.

This project examined psychosocial correlates of health and well-being in young adults diagnosed with a mental or/and physical chronic condition. Participants aged 18 to 25 years old attended Colleges of Further Education (Community Colleges) in Ireland. We focused on the role of social support and stigma while at the same time we evaluate different aspects of well-being.

Key publications
Nearchou, F., Davies, A., & Hennessy, E. (2019). Psychometric evaluation of the Multi-Dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support in young adults with chronic health conditions. Irish journal of psychological medicine, 1-5.(opens in a new window)http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/ipm.2019.54

Nearchou, F, Campbel, A, Duffy, K, Miriam, F, Neo, WL, Petroli, M, Ryan, H,Simcox, J, Softas-Nall, S, Hennessy, E (2019). Le Chéile: well-being of students in Colleges of Further Education in Ireland. Research Repository University College Dublin (opens in a new window)http://hdl.handle.net/10197/9671

Resilience in young children exposed to emotional abuse in schools

Principal Investigators: Dr Niki Nearchou and Prof Ariadni Stogiannidou
Funder: Heraklitus II: European Social Fund and Greek National Funds.

This project aimed to identify and understand mechanisms underpinning resilience in young children aged 9-12 years old who have been exposed to emotional abuse by teachers.

Key publications:

Nearchou, F. (2018). Resilience following emotional abuse by teachers: Insights from a cross-sectional study with Greek students. Child Abuse & Neglect, 78, 96-106. (opens in a new window)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2017.10.012

Nearchou, F. A., Stogiannidou, A., & Kiosseoglou, G. (2014). Adaptation and psychometric evaluation of a resilience measure in Greek elementary school students. Psychology in the Schools, 51(1), 58-71. (opens in a new window)https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.21732