Doctorate in Clinical Psychology : main research portfolio

Literature Review – A Systematic Review Examining the Relationship Between Domain-Specific Self-Discrepancies, Depression, and Anxiety. Higgins' (1987) self-discrepancy theory proposes that discrepancies between specific selfstates are predictive of distinct emotional difficulties. Specifically, this theory states that actual-ideal self-discrepancies are predictive of dejection-related emotions whereas actualought self-discrepancies are predictive of agitation-related emotions. This has been empirically explored in relation to general self-discrepancies, with inconsistent support observed for this theory. The current review proposed to examine the relationship with domain-specific self-discrepancies and two psychological difficulties, depression and anxiety, to establish whether these relationships demonstrated more consistent results for SDT. 21 studies were identified following a systematic search process and the results were synthesised using a narrative approach. Similar to previous findings, results provided inconsistent and partial support for self-discrepancy theory. However, potentially important implications for the theory, including the importance of specific domains and measures of affect, are discussed. Overall, this review provides a rationale for further research to potentially support the development of self-discrepancy theory and considers the implications domain-specific self-discrepancies may have for clinical practice. Service-Related Project - Clinician Perspectives on the Use of Videoconferencing in Clinical Work with People with Intellectual Disabilities: Barriers and Benefits. This study describes a service evaluation conducted within an NHS Trust to explore clinicians' perspectives on the clinical use of videoconferencing with people with intellectual disabilities (PWID) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this project was to explore clinician's views on the barriers and benefits to the use of telehealth modality for PWID, in order to inform service-level decision making regarding the need to continue providing face-to-face support to this client group during the pandemic. In total, 21 clinicians working with PWID completed an online survey about their use of videoconferencing. A thematic analysis was conducted and identified barriers to the use of videoconferencing consisting of three main themes: "practical issues with modality", "client-related factors", and "clinician-related factors". Identified benefits consisted of two main themes: "practicalities" and "positive client feedback". Based on these findings, recommendations were made to address the modifiable barriers and facilitate the use of videoconferencing within the trust. This project concluded that whilst modifications may support the use of videoconferencing with PWID, there does appear to be a clinical need to continue providing face-to-face assessment and intervention. Hence, it may be beneficial for the service to incorporate both videoconferencing and face-to-face support in its ongoing clinical work with PWID. Main Research Project – Exploring the Roles Human Values and Self-Discrepancies in Postnatal Depression in First-Time Mothers. Human values and self-discrepancies have been empirically associated with general depression, anxiety, and subjective wellbeing, though their relationship with postnatal depression has not been explored. Schwartz's (1992) theory of human values and Higgins' (1987) self-discrepancy were used as theoretical frameworks within the current study, which examined the relationships between higher-order value importance, subjective value fulfilment, self-discrepancies, and postnatal depression. First-time mothers who had given birth within the last six months and self-reported as experiencing low mood/postnatal depression (N=80) completed the study. Actual-ought self-discrepancies, but not actualideal self-discrepancies, predicted postnatal depression. Neither value importance nor subjective value fulfilment was found to significantly correlate with postnatal depression, though the potential role of conservation values is explored. Furthermore, the potential impact of societal narratives on maternal actual-ought self-discrepancies is discussed, alongside the theoretical and clinical implications of these findings.