Dr Bronia Arnott
Senior Research Associate

My research is in health psychology - both physical and mental health. I am interested in behaviour change and early interventions.

I am currently working as the Senior Research Associate on the Reflect Project (0.6FTE). I am a member of the Health Psychology Group.


 
 'Reflect': A feasibility study in experienced utility and travel behaviour

Project Leader(s): Prof. Jennifer Roberts (Leader Investigator), Dr. Vera Araujo-Soares (co-investigator), Prof. Nigel Davies (co-investigator), Prof. Eddie Wilson (co-investigator), Dr. Mark Grimshaw (co-investigator); Dr. Rosemary Harris (co-investigator), Mrs Tracy Ross (co-investigator).

Sponsors: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

Project Brief Description

Travel behaviours have shown considerable resistance to change, but substantial change is needed because reduced emissions cannot be secured from technical innovation alone. Our focus is on a new way to engage with, and ultimately influence, travel behaviours. Instead of appealing to emission reduction (which can feel removed from our everyday experiences), we appeal to people's wish to improve their own subjective well-being and health outcomes (physical activity). Drawing on the behavioural economics concept of experienced utility and on psychological theory of behaviour change, we combine these perspectives with expertise from mobile computing, creative technologies, mathematics and user-centred design to explore an innovative solution to understanding and potentially influencing travel behaviour. We develop an experience sampling system via a smartphone platform for the collection and delivery of real-time information on subjective travel experience. In a series of small controlled trials we feedback information to individuals about their own experiences, and those of others, and we explore whether and how these interventions change behaviour. The idea is one of user-informed behavioural interventions to encourage self-motivated change, and here we draw on evidence from successful interventions in health.

For more details please see: http://http://thereflectproject.org/

BODY and mind Study

Project Leader(s): Dr. Bronia Arnott (Principal Investigator), Dr. Paul Tiffin (co-investigator)

Sponsor: HIEC NE

Project Brief Description

Obesity and depression among youth present significant public health issues. Obesity levels remain high and track through to adulthood. Obesity is also associated with significant health problems. Rates of mental health problems among youth are also high, with around one in ten children aged 5-16 years having a diagnosable condition. Further, the high levels of comorbidity of these two problems cause further concern. A recent study of the Health Survey for England data (2007) showed a significant relation between obesity and psychological adjustment in youth. Obese children and teens were more than twice as likely to be above the screening threshold for an emotional disorder compared to non-obese.

Further, evidence suggests that the relation between obesity and depression may be causative. This may be why previous treatments of obesity have been ineffective, as they have not addressed the links between mood, coping and eating. One treatment that addresses these links is Behavioural Activation. This brief intervention has been successful in reducing depression scores, body weight, and daily calorie intake, and an increase in physical activity in adults (Pagoto et al., 2008; Psychotherapy Theory, Research, Practice & Training, 45, 410-415), but has never been applied to young people before.

The primary aim of the project is to provide an evaluation study of the effectiveness of a brief intervention (behavioural activation) in obese and depressed youth. This is a feasibility study to develop and pilot a brief intervention for young people affected by obesity and emotional difficulties.

Previous projects include:

· Leekam, McConachie, Le Couteur, Meins, Fernyhough and Arnott. ESRC £46,000 (2008-2009) The Development of Repetitive Behaviours in Young Children.

· Meins, Fernyhough, de Rosnay, Arnott and Vittorini. ESRC £250,000 (2005-2007)

· Internal Working Models and Young Children’s Social-Emotional Development.

 I have successfully supervised 2 Psychology MSc students. I also have experience in teaching at both undergraduate and post-graduate level.