My Research

My research has examined why people listen to music. I developed two widely used scales for measuring the adaptive functions of music listening and eudaimonic functions of music. My research has also demonstrated the positive effect of music on reducing anxiety, stress, and negative emotions. 

Recently I have explored how music was a support for people during COVID-19.

My research has examined psychological adjustment to a diagnosis of breast cancer and of prostate cancer. I designed a personalised intervention for cancer survivors with overweight/obesity that significantly reduced BMI, increased physical activity, and had an 86% completion rate. This programme is being translated into clinical practice. I am currently leading an initiative to identify national research priorities for psycho-oncology. 

I am leading a programme of research focused on understanding the experience of loneliness. My team and I have examined risk factors for loneliness during COVID-19, the connection between loneliness and depression, introduced a new definition and measurement instrument for existential loneliness, and are developing new understanding of the experience of loneliness when a parent has cancer. 

An important focus on my research is aligning tech innovation with behavioural science principles. As the Irish co-PI for Horizon ERASMUS Plus Particip.Age, I lead a project developing e-learning resources for social inclusion of aging individuals with intellectual disabilities. On the Horizon-funded Pv.STATEM project, I led the behavioural science input that will guide development of a malaria eradication app for regions in the global South. I am currently working on a project examining public attitudes towards the use of AI in cancer diagnosis and management.