Anna Powell Email & Phone Number

Liverpool, Gb

Liverpool, England, United Kingdom

18-month mixed methods post-doctoral position, investigating vaccine hesitancy and health messaging in ethnically diverse communities.

Liverpool, England, United Kingdom

I evaluated a substance use recovery outcomes tool in a mixed methods assessment. Involved conducting interviews and focus groups, which I analysed thematically using NVivo. This role also involved conducting a survey of practitioner views on JISC, and conducting analyses in SPSS on anonymised data of individuals who received treatment who had been assessed using the tool. Statistical analyses included Cronbach's Alpha and Exploratory Factor Analysis, while I also assessed content validity using the Content Validity Index. Results and recommendations were presented to the commissioning service.

I won the LJMU Vice Chancellor’s 2019 Studentship resulting from my PhD research proposal to investigate cognitive function in alcohol use disorders. This amounted to around £80,000 over 3 years and included a stipend, bench fees, and tuition fees. In my round there were 193 applicants from across every school in LJMU, and 12 studentships were awarded in total. I was supervised by Prof Cathy Montgomery, Prof Harry Sumnall, Dr Lynn Owens, and Dr Cecil Kullu, and was examined by Prof Dora Duka and Prof Ruth Ogden, passing with minor corrections. I have currently published four papers resulting from this work, with a further paper under review.The purpose of my thesis was to investigate the relationship between alcohol use and cognitive function, in different contexts. A systematic review examined longitudinal recoverability of cognitive function during abstinence in individuals with an alcohol use disorder, followed by a series of studies that assessed subjective executive function and vibrotactile reaction time in a range of dependent and non-dependent drinkers. Overall, the results showed that 1) cognitive function in several areas can recover in individuals with an alcohol use disorder who maintain abstinence, 2) hazardous drinkers experience poorer subjective executive function, but 3) perform faster during choice reaction time, and 4) impaired choice reaction time is demonstrated during early abstinence in dependent drinkers compared to controls, as is worsening mental fatigue, specifically in outpatients. These results have implications for health providers and policymakers, as hazardous drinkers are subject to alcohol harms despite not being a clinically prioritised group, while outpatients, despite typically fewer complex needs, are experiencing potentially harmful effects of cognitive exertion, so may need more support within their treatment pathway.

I worked with people (aged 18+) recovering from substance use and/or mental health problems, engaging them in activities aimed at improving overall health and well-being. I supported members in setting/achieving goals in various areas (e.g. well-being, career and relationships), and captured 3-6 month outcomes. I supported community re-engagement plans and worked towards the best possible recovery outcomes. I also designed and delivered a 13-week course on Wellbeing & Resilience, covering topics such as Self-Efficacy (in relation to healthy eating, physical activity, treatment adherence & health monitoring, and self-care), Resilience, and Locus of Control. These sessions were designed to be interactive, and I had lots of great feedback about my delivery.

Merseyside

I volunteered at a weekly young women's group designed to increase confidence and monitor well-being of vulnerable young women. I also helped deliver 5-week confidence building workshops to women over 18, some of whom were victims of domestic violence, or had previous history of substance and alcohol use disorders.

As part of my MSc in Health Psychology at LJMU, I completed a research project supervised by Prof Cathy Montgomery, which ended up being the basis for my PhD project. This consisted of a pilot study using the Brain Gauge, a novel cortical metrics device which assesses neurocognitive function via participant responses to vibrotactile stimuli. In this study, 28 alcohol dependent patients were measured at the start and end of initial residential detox. The project provided preliminary support for the use of such novel cortical metric assessments within this cohort, as it highlighted certain changes across this early treatment period.

Caernarfon, Wales

I looked after children (aged 2-16 years) with autistic spectrum disorder while their parents attended an NHS-facilitated yoga class. Parents also spoke with myself and a Clinical Psychologist about any problems they might be facing.

Bangor, Wales

I created a coding system using Mangold INTERACT software, and used this to code videos of children in Musical Interaction Therapy (MIT), in an attempt to measure social timing in a dyadic interaction between child and parent. I then prepared this data for analysis using SPSS and Excel, with the aim being a time-series analysis comparison between music and non-music sessions over time to see if the therapy had improved the children’s sociability.

Bangor, Wales

I coded videos of children with autism in Musical Interaction Therapy (MIT) using INTERACT software, transferred data to relevant SPSS and Excel files, and completed paperwork (such as NHS ethics application forms, information and consent forms, and letters to GPs).

Bangor, Wales

I helped International students settle into University life. I was assigned students to meet with weekly to discuss problems it was anticipated they might face, suggest strategies they might find helpful, and direct them to further services (e.g. student counselling) if necessary. I was given training to improve my interpersonal skills when speaking with the students about difficult topics.

Hungerford

I laid tables, cleaned, and interacted with elderly residents, many of whom had dementia.

Hungerford

This role involved sorting goods, assisting customers, cleaning, and pricing items.

Master Of Science - Ms, Health Psychology, Distinction

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Psychology, First (Hons)

Activities and Societies: Horticultural Society