Healthy Lives Research Group
An interdisciplinary research group looking at individual and population health across the lifespan and across different contexts and cultures.
Health Psychology at Winchester
Based in the Department of Psychology, we are a group of researchers interested in individual and population health across the lifespan and across different contexts and cultures. Much of the research undertaken by the group is focussed on 'behaviour', whether in terms of typical health behaviours, such as physical activity, or in relation to aspects such as patient decision-making, organisations’ working practices or engaging with support services. Specialists within the group undertake the design, implementation and evaluation of behaviour change interventions across a range of health behaviours and applications.
Much of the group's research would fit under the umbrella of Health Psychology, and we work closely with colleagues in the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing. Health Psychology aims to study the physical and psychological processes underlying health, illness and healthcare systems, and to apply those findings to optimise health outcomes for individuals and groups. The group adopts a broad, holistic approach to its research, looking at optimising health and wellbeing in relation to the wide range of aspects of living such as organisations, environments, social and political systems, working practices etc.
Research events
We recently welcomed ecologist and statistician Dr Richard Gunton, whose talk What are people's values of nature commented on the recent values assessment of the Inter-Governmental Science-Policy Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and critiqued attempts to construe every notion of goodness as a value. Richard outlined an alternative proposal for understanding how people value nature, and suggested how this might enable more fruitful connections between psychology and ecology.
In May 2024, we were delighted to welcome cognitive psychologist Dr Helen Keyes, Head of the School of Psychology and Sport Science at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge. Helen's research on cycling has been on driver perception of cyclists (i.e. road safety), how cyclist personality influences cycling style, and on how to increase cycling uptake in schools. Helen is also interested in how attending live sporting events can improve subjective wellbeing at a population level.
Working with Winchester Health Psychologists
The Healthy Lives Research Group welcomes the opportunity to work with specialist groups and external collaborators. For any enquiries regarding collaboration, contact Dr Margaret Husted.
Current Health Psychology research projects
Optimising Male Patients Surgical Treatment Decision-making in BPH
Dr Margaret Husted. Dr Debra Gray and Dr Sarah Golding in collaboration with Richard Hindley, Consultant Urological Surgeon (Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust).
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (enlarged prostate) is a condition affecting approx. 3 million men in the UK. For this project, we have been working with NHS partners and patients to understand existing provision, processes and patient experience of surgical treatment for the condition. The work is leading towards the development of an intervention for use in clinical consultations to support and improve men’s surgical treatment decision-making for this condition.
Take part
Do you suffer from BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia), or an enlarged prostate? We would like to hear from men with BPH who are willing to share their stories of how they chose their treatment and how it has affected their lives. Find out more and how you can take part.
Exploring pain memories and post-traumatic stress symptoms in people with Haemophilia
Dr Margaret Husted & Dr Lynn McKeague in collaboration with Dr Tamara Everington, Clinical Psychologist at Basingstoke Hospital (HHFT)
This research is adding to our understanding of chronic pain in people with Haemophilia, particularly the influence of pain memories and traumatic experiences, which can impact on individuals’ wellbeing, quality of life and treatment experience. The work is looking to generate knowledge and recommendations for practice with a goal of driving improvements in service delivery and care.
Postgraduate research
The Healthy Lives Research Group welcomes enquiries from prospective research students.
Group members
- Dr Andrea Gibbons
- Dr David Giles
- Dr Margaret Husted
- Dr Joost Leunissen
- Dr Samuel Nyman
- Dr Jordan Randell
- Dr Cassie Richardson
- Dr Joe Stubbersfield
- Dr Adrian Whyte
For more information and enquiries, contact Dr Lynn McKeague.