Staff Profile

• PhD in Health Psychology, University of Manchester, 2017.
• MSc in Health Psychology, University College London, 2012.
• BSc Psychology, University of Leicester, 2010.  

• Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society.
• Associate Member of Fuse.
• Member of the European Health Psychology Society.

My background is in health psychology, with a focus on (health-related) behaviour change. My PhD, from the University of Manchester, investigated which behaviour change techniques (BCTs) are associated with changes in post-intervention and maintained changes in self-efficacy for physical activity in adults through a systematic review with meta-analysis.

I have continued to use systematic review and meta-analysis methods to synthesise evidence on the effectiveness of behaviour change interventions. Whilst based in the Centre for Biostatistics at the University of Manchester, I worked on a systematic review and meta-analysis on the impact of social norms on clinical behaviour change (e.g. prescribing and handwashing) among health workers.  Prior to joining the School of Psychology, I was a Research Associate at the National Institute for Health Research Behavioural Science Policy Research Unit (NIHR BSci PRU) at Newcastle University where I contributed to a programme of work on shared medical appointments. I lead on the Choose Well project which comprises of a series of evidence reviews on optimising interventions to helping patients choose the most appropriate health service for their health needs. 

I am module leader for PSY3033 Eating and Weight Disorders and PSY8038 Psychology and Health. I also guest lecture on HSC8042 Public Health Intervention on the Masters in Public Health programme. 

I supervise students on the BSc Psychology and MSc Foundations in Clinical Psychology programmes. 

• Articles

  • Meyer C, Goffe L, Antonopoulou V, Graham F, Tang MY, Lecouturier J, Grimani A, Chadwick P, Sniehotta FF. Using the precaution adoption process model to understand decision-making about the COVID-19 booster vaccine in England. Vaccine 2023, 41(15), 2466-2475.
  • Ashley K, Tang MY, Flynn D, Cooper M, Errington L, Avery L. Identifying the active ingredients of training interventions for healthcare professionals to promote and support increased levels of physical activity in adults with heart failure: a systematic review. Health Psychology Review 2023, epub ahead of print.
  • Graham F, Martin H, Lecouturier J, O'Donnell A, Tang MY, Jackson K, Sniehotta FF, Kaner E. Shared medical appointments in English primary care for long-term conditions: a qualitative study of the views and experiences of patients, primary care staff and other stakeholders. BMC Primary Care 2022, 23(1), 180.
  • Antonopoulou V, Goffe L, Meyer CJ, Grimani A, Graham F, Lecouturier J, Tang MY, Chadwick P, Sniehotta FF. A comparison of seasonal influenza and novel Covid-19 vaccine intentions: a cross-sectional survey of vaccine hesitant adults in England during the 2020 pandemic. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics 2022, Epub ahead of print.
  • Ghio D, Lawes-Wickwar S, Tang MY, Epton T, Howlett N, Jenkinson E, Stanescu S, Westbrook J, Kassianos AP, Watson D, Sutherland L, Stanulewicz N, Guest E, Scanlan D, Carr N, Chater A, Hotham S, Thorneloe R, Armitage CJ, Arden M, Hart J, Byrne-Davis L, Keyworth C. What influences people's responses to public health messages for managing risks and preventing infectious diseases? A rapid systematic review of the evidence and recommendations. BMJ Open 2021, 11(11), e048750.
  • Lecouturier J, Kelly MP, Graham F, Meyer C, Tang MY, Goffe L, Bonell C, Michie S, Sniehotta FF. Public understanding of COVID-19 antibody testing and test results: A qualitative study conducted in the U.K. early in the pandemic. Social Science & Medicine 2021, 273, 113778.
  • Tang MY, Rhodes S, Powell R, McGowan LJ, Howarth E, Brown B, Cotterill S. How effective are social norms interventions in changing the clinical behaviours of healthcare workers? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Implementation Science 2021, 16(1), 1-19.
  • Goffe L, Antonopoulou V, Meyer CJ, Graham F, Tang MY, Lecouturier J, Grimani A, Bambra C, Kelly MP, Sniehotta FF. Factors associated with vaccine intention in adults living in England who either did not want or had not yet decided to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics 2021, 17(12), 5242-5254.
  • Cotterill S, Powell R, Rhodes S, Brown B, Roberts J, Tang MY, Wilkinson J. The impact of social norms interventions on clinical behaviour change among health workers: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic Reviews 2019, 8, 176.
  • Tang MY, Smith DM, Mc Sharry JM, Hann M, French DP. Behavior Change Techniques Associated With Changes in Postintervention and Maintained Changes in Self-Efficacy For Physical Activity: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis. Annals of Behavioral Medicine 2019, 53(9), 801-815.
  • Mcmillan B, Fox S, Lyons M, Bourke S, Mistry M, Ruddock A, Brown B, Tang MY, van Marwijk H. Using patient and public involvement to improve the research design and funding application for a project aimed at fostering a more collaborative approach to the NHS health check: the CaVIAR project (better Care Via Improved Access to Records). Research Involvement and Engagement 2018, 4, 1-9.
  • Tang MY, Shahab L, Robb KA, Gardner B. Are parents more willing to vaccinate their children than themselves?. Journal of Health Psychology 2016, 21(5), 781-787.
  • Tang MY. Tips for conducting a systematic review as part of a PhD. The Quarterly 2015, 94, 43-46.
  • Sinfield P, Baker R, Pollard L, Tang MY. Improving the management of obesity in adults: A pilot of a method to identify important barriers to change and tailor interventions to address them. Quality in Primary Care 2013, 21(4), 237-246.
  • Baker R, Tang MY. The role of research in helping general practice commission efficient health care. London Journal of Primary Care 2011, 05.2011, 1-5.

• Reviews

  • Grimani A, Goffe L, Tang MY, Beyer F, Sniehotta FF, Vlaev I. Effectiveness of personal letters to healthcare professionals in changing professional behaviours: a systematic review protocol. Systematic Reviews 2021, 10, 94.
  • Graham F, Tang MY, Jackson K, Martin H, O'Donnell A, Ogunbayo O, Sniehotta FF, Kaner E. Barriers and facilitators to implementation of shared medical appointments in primary care for the management of long-term conditions: A systematic review and synthesis of qualitative studies. BMJ Open 2021, 11(8), e046842.