Dr. Jan De Vries
Associate Professor, School of Nursing & Midwifery

Projects

• Title
  • Being LGBTQI+ in Ireland (LGBTIreland 2)
• Summary
  • This mixed method study (PI Prof Agnes Higgins, Co-PI Jan de Vries, Co-PI Brian Keogh) seeks to provide a follow-up survey of the LGBTIreland study, the largest study of LGBTI people in Ireland to date. This follow-up 7 years after the first study LGBTI people in Ireland on their mental health, coping, cognitive dissonance and resilience (COGNITIVE DISSONANCE THEME)
• Funding Agency
  • HSE
• Date From
  • 2022
• Date To
  • 2024

• Title
  • NETHATE - Network of Excellence of Training on Hate 2
• Summary
  • Awarded after resubmission coordinating PI: Dr. Arun Bokde TCIN Dr. Jan de Vries, co-applicant, Co-PI, and PI work package leader This is an international programme involving 11 partner universities and 15 PIs across Europe and partners from industry and NGO's. The programme is set up to develop international PhD studies around the issue of hate. Hate of a person or a group is a direct challenge to the common humanity among people, a direct challenge to the equal dignity of all people, and a direct threat to the existence of a democratic and prosperous society. Hate is a volatile emotion which can bring to an end peaceful co-existence between different ethnic and religious groups in Europe. Hate can be specifically aimed at specific individuals or be more diffusely directed at whichever group is perceived to be a threat. Dormant roots of frustration or anger in a population can be manipulated to be expressed towards any out-group or minority. Hate inducing mass communication can play an essential role in this. The development of the Internet and the world wide web has led to increased economic and social development, greater access to knowledge and information, and faster and easier communication among people. But also we are seeing the rise and proliferation of hate through new and very efficient tools for targeting people susceptible to hate messages. Hate-infected leadership at different levels and a modest following is enough to generate a situation in which hate will dominate discourse and actions in populations. Social mechanisms such as conformity, compliance, obedience, groupthink, and the bystander effect will facilitate the expression of hate into aggression and stifle opposition. It is not unthinkable that the main medium of destabilisation within Europe will be hate spreading communications and practices using the internet. At the core of the experience of hate is an Inner Conflict or Dissonance which is a significant mental load to those that hate. The resulting drive generates significant pressure to express hatred (COGNITIVE DISSONANCE THEME)
• Funding Agency
  • European Commission
• Date From
  • 2020
• Date To
  • 2024

• Title
  • NETHATE - Network of Excellence of Training on Hate
• Summary
  • This is an international programme involving partner universities across Europe and partners from industry and NGO's Coordinating PI: Prof. Arun Bokde (TCIN, TCD) role Dr. Jan de Vries: co-applicant, and PI work package leader, PhD supervisor Funding applied for: Euro 3,816,856.80 The programme is set up to develop international PhD studies around the issue of hate. Hate of a person or a group is a direct challenge to the common humanity among people, a direct challenge to the equal dignity of all people, and a direct threat to the existence of a democratic and prosperous society. Hate is a volatile emotion which can bring to an end peaceful co-existence between different ethnic and religious groups in Europe. Hate can be specifically aimed at specific individuals or be more diffusely directed at whichever group is perceived to be a threat. Dormant roots of frustration or anger in a population can be manipulated to be expressed towards any out-group or minority. Hate inducing mass communication can play an essential role in this.The development of the Internet and the world wide web has led to increased economic and social development, greater access to knowledge and information, and faster and easier communication among people. But also we are seeing the rise and proliferation of hate through new and very efficient tools for targeting people susceptible to hate messages. Hate-infected leadership at different levels and a modest following is enough to generate a situation in which hate will dominate discourse and actions in populations. Social mechanisms such as conformity, compliance, obedience, groupthink, and the bystander effect will facilitate the expression of hate into aggression and stifle opposition. It is not unthinkable that the main medium of destabilisation within Europe will be hate spreading communications and practices using the internet. And while we might be most worried about how this will affect our lives in general, it is worth considering what the impact will be if going on-line would become a very unsafe experience.(COGNITIVE DISSONANCE THEME)
• Funding Agency
  • European Commission Research & Innovation
• Date From
  • 2019
• Date To
  • 2022

• Title
  • Depression and inner conflict: the neuroscience of cognitive dissonance
• Summary
  • Funding requested: €20,000 (for fMRI scanning and data analysis) Project Abstract: Depression is becoming an increasingly critical and costly population health problem. The processes involved and its treatment are subject to universal debate and the proposed study is intended to affect this debate. The focus of the study is the role of intrapersonal or inner conflict in the mechanisms that initiate and perpetuate depression. The aim is to investigate the neurological substrate of the relationship between depression and inner conflict. The core question is whether people with and without experience of depression demonstrate similar or different activation patterns when processing inner conflict in the brain. With the use of fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scanning of participants with (n=16) and without experience of depression (n=16) contrasts in activation loci and levels will be established. There are indications that depression coincides with over- or under-activation which prevents resolution of inner conflict. This emerging hypothesis is rooted within cognitive dissonance theory (Festinger, 1957) and has not been specifically addressed yet within cognitive neuroscience. The proposed study will make use of a novel method to elicit ecologically valid inner conflict experiences. This project is part of the Cognitive Dissonance Research Programme, an interdisciplinary programme involving contributions from health care, mental health, psychology and neuroscience.(COGNITIVE DISSONANCE THEME)
• Funding Agency
  • TCD
• Date From
  • 2018
• Date To
  • 2019

• Title
  • Cognitive Dissonance: foundations and applications
• Summary
  • This project aims to research cognitive inconsistency and dissonance in two ways: 1) A fundamental strand seeks to identify the neurological substrate of how we process inconsistency and dissonance. Funding applications have been made and international collaboration has been pursued. The first output is a publication based on fMRI research 2) An applied strand seeks to research the applications in health care and mental health. A PhD study is currently on its way on Cognitive Dissonance and Depression. Four recent publications in 2014/2015 have focused on applying dissonance theory to health care.(COGNITIVE DISSONANCE THEME)
• Funding Agency
  • no funding at present
• Date From
  • Sept 2014
• Date To
  • indefinite

• Title
  • Deception: how aware are we and do we care enough?
• Summary
  • Misinformation and deception are not new, but their potency has significantly increased in the digital age. This allows the rapid spread of false information as well as democratizing its production. Novel artificial intelligence (AI) technologies may aggravate the problem, as they enable producers of (mis)information to use convincing digital forgery tools like Deepfake with ease. The development and increase in usage of such technologies adds urgency to the task of addressing the challenge of pervasive misinformation. In order to do so, it is crucial to understand the way in which individuals process misinformation, and the factors that make them susceptible to being deceived by it. Given misinformation's profound effects on individuals" beliefs and values, as well as politics and society, a multidisciplinary approach is required to explain its consequences. Most recent research on the topic focusses either on the factors that make individuals vulnerable to believing in incorrect information or on the effect of information corrections. Our approach is unique in the sense that we consider the multidimensional effect of misinformation on individuals, societal values, and electoral politics. Combining approaches from social psychology, political psychology, information processing theory, and political science will allow us to advance our understanding of the complexities surrounding misinformation and its broader societal implications. Such knowledge is crucial to inform policy that aims to tackle the negative effects of living in an environment rife with misinformation. The proposed research projects are outlined below.
• Funding Agency
  • Trinity College Dublin
• Date From
  • 01/09/2024
• Date To
  • 01/09/2028

• Title
  • Narratives of Nursing Leadership
• Summary
  • Nursing leadership is a theme of considerable debate in health care and health care education. The need for nursing leadership is expressed frequently and with increasing urgency. Spurred onwards by recent developments in health care such as the move towards more community based care it is inevitable that the largest group of health care professionals is called upon to take responsibility. Because nurses are in more frequent contact with patients than their superiors in management they are in a unique position to respond quickly and effectively to situations that require instant intervention. This requires leadership on the ground, relevant expertise and confidence in nurses. Whether they are prepared well enough for these new leadership challenges is a matter of concern (Curtis et al. 2011a). And while there is evidence to suggest that leadership qualities can be taught, modelled and practiced in health care settings (Cumming et al 2008)organisational and educational obstacles and limitations (Cummings et al 2005) have been noted in various studies (Curtis et al. 2011b). Publications on nursing leadership have shed considerable light on paradigmatic issues, health care practices and work conditions (Cummings et al (2005), leadership traits and behaviours and other psychological and social factors, and even political and economic aspects. Not well represented in these publications are the actual leadership activities as performed in the day to day work of nurses. This has led to the less than satisfying situation that the theory has become divorced from what happens on the ground. While there is empirical evidence for what nurses consider important leadership characteristics and even that transformational leadership may be more effective than transactional leadership (McCormack 2012), much of the analysis takes place at a theoretical and abstract level, with limited implications for practice as understood by the nurses themselves. Even in recent practice oriented publications such as (Eneh et al 2012; Gottlieb et al 2012) there is little indication of what kind of 'leadership activities' nurses actually engage in or what they consider good leadership activities. Having identified this gap in the literature, the authors are setting out to identify the missing narrative element in the discussion using a survey instrument which essentially seeks to get nurses to give concrete examples of good leadership activities they had witnessed or engaged in. Objective for 2013/2014: ethical application and approval. This was achieved. Objectives for 2014/2015: pilot study and main surveys; data gathering and data analysis to take place
• Funding Agency
  • unfunded research
• Date From
  • 2012
• Date To
  • 2016

• Title
  • Graduate Entry Nursing (GEN) facilitation study
• Summary
  • The Irish healthcare system, in common with many western nations, continues to demand a supply of nurses that exceeds the numbers of qualified nurses available to meet their need (Bleich et al. 2015). One avenue to add to the number of qualified nurses is to make nursing education accessible to graduates in other, preferably related, fields looking to expand their professional horizons byand interested in entering the nursing profession. This approach to boosting the availability of qualified nurses has been successfully used elsewhere. The question is whether it iswould be feasible in the Republic of Ireland. This scoping review, commissioned and funded by the HSE National Mental Health Division, through the Office of Nursing and Midwifery Services Development, details the findings of the a review into the feasibility of introducing a graduate entry Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing programme leading to nursing registration in Ireland. The report comprises six chapters, which provide background context and methods, findings under the objectives set and recommendations. This introductory chapter focuses on background context and methodology used to achieve four key objectives, which consist of a review of the literature, exploration of existing programmes, steps to be taken towards professional approval, and investigating interest of potential students.
• Funding Agency
  • HSE
• Date From
  • APR 2016
• Date To
  • APR 2017

• Title
  • LGBTIreland
• Summary
  • This mixed method study (PI Prof Agnes Higgins) seeks to (a) survey LGBTI people in Ireland on their mental health; (b) survey perspectives on LGBT of the wider public including stereotyping, prejudice and other perceptions.(COGNITIVE DISSONANCE THEME) 01-APR-2014 31-MAR-2015 2014-15 Not Applicable Exploration of mental health issues among LGBTI people and public attitudes to LGBT people in Ireland €60,000 Lead PI €60,000
• Funding Agency
  • HSE
• Date From
  • 2014
• Date To
  • 2015

• Title
  • Evaluation of Foundation programme in Sexual Health Promotion II
• Summary
  • This is the second evaluation of the FPSHP. This time a longitudinal approach is made
• Funding Agency
  • HSE
• Date From
  • 2015
• Date To
  • 2016

• Title
  • Suicide or Survive (SOS) Evaluation II: Longitudinal Study
• Summary
  • Following from a recently completed evaluation of the Suicide or Survive workshops, another longitudinal evaluation of the impact of the workshops is taking place. The team consists of Louise Doyle, Agnes Higgins, Brian Keogh, Padraigh McBennet and Jan de Vries.
• Funding Agency
  • HSE
• Date From
  • July 2013
• Date To
  • Sept 2014

• Title
  • Cognitive Dissonance and fMRI
• Summary
  • The aim of this study is to investigate the neural response to cognitive dissonance (CD) using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The objective is to identify how common everyday events that could generate dissonance are processed in the brain. On the basis of present neurological evidence it is hypothesised that the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and parts of the prefrontal cortex are implicated. Most of the research is based on relatively contrived lab tasks. This study attempts to establish whether the hypothesis still holds when CD induction takes place in a more naturalistic way presenting participants with day to day situations that generate dissonance. The study is part of a wider effort to bridge the gap between research on social cognition and neuroscience.Background Cognitive Dissonance (CD) (Festinger, 1957) is the result of simultaneously holding two or more inconsistent cognitions, or exhibiting behaviour that is inconsistent with beliefs or values. This is experienced as an uncomfortable tension motivating efforts to reduce dissonance and therefore discomfort. This is commonly done by changing cognitions or behaviours, but also by trivialising or seeking distraction. Evidence from neurological studies suggests that dissonance discomfort is detected in various brain structures, notably the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), while efforts to resolve it take place in the prefrontal cortex (Amodio et al, 2004; Harmon-Jones et al., 2008). Research Approach and Design Main Study: The study has made use of a within-subject 2 x 2 design + baseline condition. Participants have all undergone the same procedure. They have been presented with a series of questions while undergoing an fMRI scan. In the experimental condition, the stimulus consists of (1) a primer which presents a common value; followed by (2) a memory prompt to think of personal violations of this value. Dissonance has been found to occur as a result. Three control conditions have provided necessary contrasts for fMRI analysis. They use the same format with contrasting primers and memory prompts. Pilot Study: To select the items for inclusion in the fMRI study, a pilot study has taken place in which the memory prompts have been introduced. Those that were recalled most consistently have formed the pool of items used in the experimental condition of the study. Objectives for 2013/2014 were to complete the analysis of the findings, submit the first article and apply for funding for a PhD study on cognitive dissonance and depression. These objectives were achieved. Objectives for 2014/2015: ethics application and start data collection for PhD study; publication of fMRI study; design of follow-up fMRI study (COGNITIVE DISSONANCE THEME)
• Funding Agency
  • Trinity College
• Date From
  • Sept 2009
• Date To
  • Sept 2015

• Title
  • Evaluation of a community-based initiative at an Irish service for people with an intellectual disability.
• Summary
  • This study evaluated a community housing initiative for people with and intelectual disability in Ireland. With the use of interviews and an evaluation of Personal Outcome Measures(POMs),satisfaction of participants with the living arrangements and quality of life are assessed. Objectives 2013/2014: complete study; produce draft report; present at conferences. All objectives were achieved. Objectives 2014/2015: complete final report and publish peer reviewed article.
• Funding Agency
  • unfunded research
• Date From
  • 2012
• Date To
  • 2014

• Title
  • ERICA - Stopping child maltreatment through pan-european multiprofessional training programme: Early child protection work with families at risk
• Summary
  • This pan-European initiative with partners in most European countries has originated at the university of Tampere in Finland. It is designed to test a programme to reduce child maltreatment in Europe. Objectives 2013/2014: funding application for 800.000 euro was unsuccesful
• Funding Agency
  • FP& European Union
• Date From
  • 2014
• Date To
  • 2018

• Title
  • Evaluation of Suicide or Survive Wellness Workshop
• Summary
  • The aim of this project was to evaluate the impact of the one-day SOS Wellness Workshop and to identify if key objectives of the workshop were achieved. The specific objectives of the evaluation were to: (a)Explore the impact on participants' knowledge of mental health and attitudes towards suicide and mental illness;(b)Identify if the programme enhanced participants ability to recognise and manage mental health issues; (c) Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the programme and make recommendations for future development. The study used a mixed method approach which included a survey, interviews and focus groups. In 2013/2014 a new tender to do a pre/post/follow-up study of the impact of the programme was won. This study was completed in August 2014 20-Jan -2012 16- Jan-2012 16-July-2012 2012 Suicide or Survive Not Applicable Impact of the Wellness Workshop provided by SOS €19,965 Lead PI €19,965
• Funding Agency
  • HSE, SOS
• Date From
  • 2011
• Date To
  • 2012

• Title
  • Proneness to Accidents in a Graduate Population
• Summary
  • Sheerin, F., Curtis, E., De Vries, J.M.A. This study addresses proneness to accidents in a graduate population. Its objective is to seek for associations between personal accidents and health (as measured with the Functional Health Patterns Inventory)
• Funding Agency
  • unfunded research
• Date From
  • 01/10/2010
• Date To
  • 01/10/2011

• Title
  • Sex Education Support in Schools
• Summary
  • a systematic study of the literature on supports and outside facilitators for sex education in secondary schools
• Funding Agency
  • Crisis Pregnancy Agency (CPA)
• Date From
  • 2009
• Date To
  • 2009

• Title
  • Transferable skills in Nursing Education
• Summary
  • This project is an evaluation of skills transfer between first and second year group poster projects in BSc nursing students. I was a collaboration with Sylvia Huntley-Moore
• Funding Agency
  • unfunded research
• Date From
  • 2011
• Date To
  • 2012

• Title
  • Teen Parent Support Programme: Young Fathers Evaluation Study
• Summary
  • evaluation of the design and reception of a information campaign for teenage fathers
• Funding Agency
  • Health Service Executive (HSE)
• Date From
  • 2008
• Date To
  • 2009

• Title
  • Evaluation of Four Family-Focus Initiatives
• Summary
  • Four family support porgrammes for families of people with a disability funded by Genio were evaluated as part of this project. The evaluation made use of a mixed method approach and included interviews and a survey.
• Funding Agency
  • GENIO
• Date From
  • 2012
• Date To
  • 2012

• Title
  • Evaluation of Foundation Programme in Sexual Health Promotion (FPSHP)
• Summary
  • This project is an evaluation led by Prof Agnes Higgins of the effectiveness of the Foundation Programme in Sexual Health Promotion (FPSHP) in building capacity amongst health, education and community professionals and to examine whether the programme should be extended to other HSE areas. A mixed methods approach is employed including surveys and interviews. The project consisted of two-sub projects which were completed over a period of four years. Funding total is included. 13-NOV-2012 01-NOV-2012 28-FEB-2016 2012-16 Health Service Executive HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme Evaluation of the Foundation Programme in Sexual Health Promotion (Phase 1 ad 2) €61,448 Lead PI €61,448
• Funding Agency
  • HSE
• Date From
  • 2012
• Date To
  • 2016

• Title
  • Handwashing and Cognitive Dissonance
• Summary
  • Background Health care associated infections (HCAIs) are an important problem in hospitals. It has been demonstrated that optimising hand hygiene of health care workers (HCW) reduces the occurrence of HCAIs. Unfortunately, efforts to improve hand hygiene both in Ireland and internationally are not satisfactory. A recent World Health Organisation's report on hand hygiene (WHO 2009) suggests that, among other approaches, the problem may be addressed by improving our understanding of cognitive mechanisms around hand hygiene in HCWs. This project is designed to take up this challenge. The researchers hypothesise that hand hygiene violations are accompanied by cognitive processes best explained by Cognitive Dissonance Theory (Festinger 1957, Cooper 2007). Aim The primary aims of the study are: a) to establish the cognitive mechanisms involved in hand hygiene, in particular justifications used for violations; b) to develop, deliver and evaluate the impact of an educational module on hand hygiene violations with a view to advancing hand hygiene education and promotion for HCWs and ultimately patient safety. Method Focus groups will be conducted in two hospitals, one in Dublin and one in Cork to elicit perspectives on justification of hand hygiene violations. Funding proposals have been unsuccesful. (COGNITIVE DISSONANCE THEME)
• Funding Agency
  • HRB
• Date From
  • 2010
• Date To
  • 2014

• Title
  • Frozen Conflict and Cognitive Dissonance
• Summary
  • This research project seeks to establish a better understanding of obstacles to successful conflict dialogue, in order to facilitate better outcomes, in particular where political conflict has become or is at risk of becoming a 'frozen conflict', such as in Northern Ireland. In frozen conflict, the parties engaged in the conflict find it deeply uncomfortable to adapt their perspectives or to adopt new perspectives. As a result of this, dialogue often results in a strengthening of entrenched positions, arguments and narratives. This makes it even more difficult to resolve, manage or transform the conflict. People often report that engaging in conflict dialogue makes them feel 'torn inside' or 'all confused' and find this more unbearable than to be stuck in an accepted animosity with another party. As a result, conflict dialogue is a slow, costly and painful process with many setbacks and decision making rooted in the reduction of inner turmoil rather than rational arguments for a sustainable solution to the conflict. In a way it could be said that often 'peace of mind is achieved at the expense of peace'. The psychological core of this process is best understood with the use of 'cognitive dissonance theory' (Festinger 1957; Cooper 2007) which suggests that our minds operate in such a way that inconsistencies generate a sense of discomfort we are highly motivated to reduce. This means that if people act in ways that are inconsistent with strongly held beliefs they feel intense dissonance. An example of this is engaging in dialogue with people believed to be the enemy. Typically dissonance generated here could be resolved by terminating the dialogue. If the person decides to remain involved an often complex process of justification is necessary to reduce the dissonance this may generate. Understanding this process is pivotal to discriminating between successful and unsuccessful dialogue. Using this model as a template the researchers are seeking to conduct interviews and focus groups with people involved in the conflict in Northern Ireland. The outcomes will provide us with new insights regarding obstacles to dialogue and negotiation. (COGNITIVE DISSONANCE THEME)
• Funding Agency
  • Irish Research Council
• Date From
  • 2011
• Date To
  • 2014

• Title
  • The Psychobabbling Nurse: Psychology in Nursing Education
• Summary
  • This project focusses on a variety of aspects of psychology in nursing education. The main focus is on establishing how psychology is best taught in nursing education and how nurses retain and use aspects of psychology in their clinical practice. A survey is being prepared
• Funding Agency
  • unfunded research
• Date From
  • 2011
• Date To
  • 2014

• Title
  • The Neuroscience of Cognitive Dissonance and Depression
• Summary
  • This project is part of the Cognitive Dissonance Research Programme. This interdisciplinary programme involving contributions from health care, mental health, psychology and neuroscience has been set up to investigate internal conflict or cognitive dissonance, its neuroscience basis and applications to health care and depression. At present the programme has yielded several publications on the relationship between health care and cognitive dissonance (De Vries, 2008, Timmins and de Vries, 2014, Timmins and De Vries, 2015, De Vries and Timmins, 2015). Moreover a first fMRI study (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) on the neuroscience of cognitive dissonance has been completed and published (de Vries et al., 2015). The aim of the project for which funding is requested is to investigate the relationship of dissonance with depression in a second fMRI study. The novel research paradigm involves scanning participants while they reflect on induced internal conflict related to everyday events. The core question is whether people with experience of depression demonstrate similar or different activation patterns when processing inner conflict in the brain in comparison with participants without depression. (COGNITIVE DISSONANCE THEME)
• Funding Agency
  • TCD
• Date From
  • 2017
• Date To
  • 2018

• Title
  • The Neuroscience of Cognitive Dissonance and Ageing
• Summary
  • This project is part of the Cognitive Dissonance Research Programme. This interdisciplinary programme involving contributions from health care, ageing research, mental health, psychology and neuroscience has been set up to investigate internal conflict or cognitive dissonance, its neuroscience basis and applications to ageing and health care. At present the programme has yielded several publications on the relationship between health care and cognitive dissonance (De Vries, 2008, Timmins and de Vries, 2014, Timmins and De Vries, 2015, De Vries and Timmins, 2015). Moreover a first fMRI study (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) on the neuroscience of cognitive dissonance has been completed and published (de Vries et al., 2015). The aim of the project for which funding is requested is to investigate the relationship of dissonance with ageing in a second fMRI study. The novel research paradigm involves scanning participants while they reflect on induced internal conflict related to everyday events. Results so far suggest higher overall levels of activation in the brains of young adults in response to internal conflict. Because there is evidence to suggest that dissonance processing changes with ageing, this second study will also involve older adults. This comparison is unique and will significantly progress this area of research.(COGNITIVE DISSONANCE THEME)
• Funding Agency
  • TCD
• Date From
  • 2016
• Date To
  • 2017

• Title
  • Cognitive Dissonance and Depression
• Summary
  • This mixed methods PhD study completed by Dr. Mark Byrne and developed by Dr. de Vries and Dr. Byrne has focussed on the investigation of cognitive dissonance as a model to understand depression. (COGNITIVE DISSONANCE THEME)
• Funding Agency
  • TCD
• Date From
  • 2014
• Date To
  • 2018

• Title
  • Selfharm and the voices of young people
• Summary
  • This qualitative PhD study on self harm in young people was conducted by Ms Eilish Hayes and developed by Ms Hayes and Dr. de Vries. It involved interviews which were analysed using narrative analysis. All data were gathered and analysis was in progress when unfortunately Ms Hayes became chronically ill. While near completion of the project did not succeeed in submitting it as a PhD thesis
• Funding Agency
  • Department of Health and Children
• Date From
  • 2008
• Date To
  • 2012

• Title
  • The development and trial of systematic visual search; a novel training method designed to improve the observation of workplace hazards during visual inspections.
• Summary
  • This PhD study was conducted by Dr Victor Hrymak after having been developed by Dr. Hrymak and Dr. de Vries. It involved an RCT in which a novel method of visual inspection workplace inspection was tested. Results showed that the novel method was significantly more effective than inspection as usual.
• Funding Agency
  • Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT)
• Date From
  • 2013
• Date To
  • 2019

• Title
  • The Relationship between Childhood Depression, Obesity and Poor School Performance among Urban Disadvantaged Children
• Summary
  • This quantitative PhD study conducted by Dr. Prakashini Banka investigated School Performance Among Urban Disadvantaged Children, emphasising the relationship with childhood Depression and Obesity among inner city school participating in the Healthy Schools Project School Performance Among Urban Disadvantaged Children. PhD Dissertation. Trinity College Dublin
• Funding Agency
  • TCD
• Date From
  • 2013
• Date To
  • 2018

• Title
  • Mental Health Nurses' Experiences of the Use of Psychosocial Interventions in Ireland
• Summary
  • This PhD study was conducted by Dr Siobhan Smyth and supervised by Dr. Eddie McCann and Dr. Jan de Vries. This mixed method study investigated perception of the use of Psychosocial interventions (PSI) in four mental health care settings. Participants were mental health nurses trained in PSI.
• Funding Agency
  • European Academy of Nursing Science (EANS)
• Date From
  • 2010
• Date To
  • 2017

• Title
  • Breastfeeding Support Groups in Ireland:
• Summary
  • This PhD study was a mixed method study conducted by Elizabeth McCarthy-Quinn, supervised by Louise Gallagher and Jan de Vries, involved a survey and interviews with mothers who attended breastfeeding support groups in Ireland
• Funding Agency
  • TCD
• Date From
  • 2014
• Date To
  • 2018

• Title
  • Evaluation of Mental Health Recovery and Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)
• Summary
  • Evaluation of Mental Health Recovery and Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) education programme on participants' knowledge, attitude and skills of mental health recovery outcomes
• Funding Agency
  • POBAL and Institute of Mental Health Recovery
• Date From
  • 01/03/2009
• Date To
  • 01/03/2010

• Title
  • The role of adverse childhood experiences and trauma on treatment outcomes among people in opiate agonist treatment
• Summary
  • This PhD project conducted by Dave McDonagh and supervised by Catherine Comiskey and Jan de Vries involved a follow up survey of methadone users.
• Funding Agency
  • TCD
• Date From
  • 2018
• Date To
  • 2022

• Title
  • Diagnosing Culture; A mixed methods exploration of organisational culture in community healthcare reform
• Summary
  • This PhD study conducted by Debra O'Neill and supervised by Jan de Vries and Catherine Comiskey is aimed at identifying the organisational culture in healthcare settings.
• Funding Agency
  • TCD
• Date From
  • 2017
• Date To
  • 2021

• Title
  • The Enigma of Depression: a New Approach using Cognitive Dissonance theory
• Summary
  • This PhD study by Mark Byrne supervised by Jan de Vries and Agnes Higgins. Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and is a major contributor to the global burden of disease (World Health Organisation, 2012). While subject to a significant research effort worldwide, the specific mechanisms whereby depression occurs are still not convincingly understood. Thise proposed study endeavours to address this issue by seeking to trace how depressive feelings accumulate and to what extent cognitive conflict is at the core of this development, in particular when efforts to resolve such cognitive conflicts are unsuccessful. The study will make use of cognitive dissonance theory (Festinger 1957) as a guiding paradigm. While a firmly established and well researched model of social cognition, theits application to mental health and mental health interventions is relatively new. As such the study is bound to provide novel empirical findings not available elsewhere with implications for our understanding of depression and its interventions.(COGNITIVE DISSONANCE THEME)
• Funding Agency
  • Irish Research Council
• Date From
  • 2015
• Date To
  • 2019

• Title
  • Deception: How aware are we and do we care enough?"
• Summary
  • Misinformation and deception are not new, but their potency has significantly increased in the digital age. This allows the rapid spread of false information as well as democratizing its production. Novel artificial intelligence (AI) technologies may aggravate the problem, as they enable producers of (mis)information to use convincing digital forgery tools like Deepfake with ease. The development and increase in usage of such technologies adds urgency to the task of addressing the challenge of pervasive misinformation. In order to do so, it is crucial to understand the way in which individuals process misinformation, and the factors that make them susceptible to being deceived by it. Given misinformation's profound effects on individuals" beliefs and values, as well as politics and society, a multidisciplinary approach is required to explain its consequences. Most recent research on the topic focusses either on the factors that make individuals vulnerable to believing in incorrect information or on the effect of information corrections. Our approach is unique in the sense that we consider the multidimensional effect of misinformation on individuals, societal values, and electoral politics. Combining approaches from social psychology, political psychology, information processing theory, and political science will allow us to advance our understanding of the complexities surrounding misinformation and its broader societal implications. Such knowledge is crucial to inform policy that aims to tackle the negative effects of living in an environment rife with misinformation. The proposed research projects are outlined below.
• Funding Agency
  • Trinity College Dublin
• Date From
  • 2024
• Date To
  • 2028

• Title
  • Wellbeing and Mental Health in the Older LGBTQI+ Population
• Summary
  • This project includes a special analysis and reporting of findings of the Being LGBTQI+ in Ireland study relevant to older LGBTQI+ participants
• Funding Agency
  • HSE and Department of Health
• Date From
  • 2023
• Date To
  • 2024

• Title
  • Healthcare experiences, wellbeing and mental health of people who have variations in sex characteristics in Ireland
• Summary
  • This project involved the dissemination of findings from the Being LGBTQI+ in Ireland study specific to participants with an intersex background. A special report was generated
• Funding Agency
  • HSE & Department of Health
• Date From
  • 2024
• Date To
  • 2024

• Title
  • Exploring the impact of cognitive dissonance on nursing practice
• Summary
  • This PhD project focusses on the role of cognitive dissonance in healthcare. The specific focus is on how cognitive dissonance affects missed care and care erosion. The study will take place in China.
• Funding Agency
  • Chinese Department of Education
• Date From
  • 2023
• Date To
  • 2027

• Title
  • Development of video resources and virtual reality supports for UG teaching in nursing and midwifery
• Summary
  • For this project video resources and virtual reality simulation materials have been developed as part of the UG module in Clinical Judgement
• Funding Agency
  • Faculty of Health Sciences Trinity College Dublin
• Date From
  • 2022
• Date To
  • 2023

• Title
  • Connecting theory and practice in clinical decision making.
• Summary
  • This project focuses on the development of video materials for an UG module in Clinical Judgement and highlights the introduction of EDI (Equality Diversity Inclusion) in the BSc programme in Nursing and Midwifery.
• Funding Agency
  • Faculty of Health Sciences Trinity College Dublin
• Date From
  • 2024
• Date To
  • 2025