Twitter @HealthPsychUNN

My primary research area concerns exploring the psychobiological pathways through which psychological (e.g., stress) and behavioural (e.g., illicit drug use, lifestyle) can lead to deleterious effects on aspects of health, well-being and performance. In other words, how stress gets inside us and why it has different effects on different people. I have worked with a range of clinical (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, IBS, chronic fatigue), occupational (e.g., medical professionals, firefighters), sports (e.g., elite rowers) and healthy populations, as well as individuals experiencing chronic stress (e.g., parent carers of children with autism and / or ADHD). This research involves a range of psychological and biological (nervous, endocrine and immune systems) methods, but it is the appropriate combination of these methods that allow for a comprehensive assessment of an individual's response to stress.

In order to assess the effects of stress it is necessary to study people at times when they are experiencing stress. This can be done in 2 ways:

1) Assess individuals who are experiencing higher levels of stress due to characteristics of their lifestyle (e.g., high stress jobs, informal caregiving, socio-economic factors, recreational drug use etc) in relation to individuals who are experiencing lower levels of stress or a period of lower stress (e.g., examinations vs holiday periods)

2. Bring individuals into the lab to observe how they respond to a controlled, acutely stressful event and use these responses to make predictions regarding how an individual might respond to a stressful event outside the lab.

Combining These Techniques

In order to gain a thorough understanding of how an individual responds to stress and the effects of stress upon the individual, it is important to integrate field and lab techniques. That is, to measure how an individual responds to an acute stressor, representative of the kinds of stressors encountered in everyday life, whilst considering their background, or basal levels of psychobiological functioning. The majority of my research projects combine laboratory and field techniques in some way in order to provide a comprehensive profile of how an individual anticipates, responds and recovers from stress, Recent work has involved designing protocols to assess the psychobiological processes involved in anticipation and recovery from a range of stressors and experiences including laboratory stressors, occupational and work based stressors and potentially life threatening stressors such as skydiving.

I have also developed paradigms to explore psychobiological processes in a range of occupational settings (e.g., medical and heath professionals; firefighters) and in samples characterised by deficits in psychobiological functioning. For example, in collaboration with Dr Cathy Montgomery at Liverpool John Moores University, I have been exploring the effects of recreational use of MDMA / Ecstasy on basal HPA function, acute stress reactivity an multitasking performance. Chronic recreational users of ecstasy experience increased physical and psychological morbidity. In a previous study we have demonstrated that they find cognitive tasks involving multitasking particularly challenging and stressful. In our recent study we have also demonstrated that users mount inappropriate stress responses in anticipation of these tasks, and this over-activation in stress responding may also contribute to the health and cognitive issues they experience.

Stress Reduction

Despite the potential benefits that could be experienced, many populations, for example, informal and professional carers, have limited time and resource to engage in potentially beneficial stress reducing interventions, I am, therefore, involved in the development of bespoke stress-reducing interventions that can be delivered within these limitations. I have a particular interest in therapeutic writing and have conducted studies assessing the efficacy and feasibility of a range of writing techniques (emotional disclosure, benefit finding, positive writing) and adapting their delivery methods to maximise participation and adherence in hard to reach populations.

Following on from our work with informal caregivers, I have recently started a collaborative programme with Professor Andy McDonnell and Dr Michael McCreadie at Studio 3 to explore the causes and consequences of stress in careworkers for individuals with challenging behaviours. This work has so far identified a number of factors that contribute to the stress experienced by careworkers and is assessing the impact of these factors on psychobiological stress indices. We will then be working with a range of stakeholder to develop a range of appropriate interventions that can be readily applied by those working in this area.

Applying Techniques

I am involved in a range of inter-disciplinary activities that involve the application of psychobiological assessment techniques. Most recently I have been working with Monkfish Productions to develop techniques for assessing audience mood changes during live performance. We have just completed our second assessment night at ARC Stockton Arts Centre and are planning ways of developing this work further.

I am also collaborating with Professor Roy Maxion in the Computer Science Department at Carnegie Mellon University on a project using psychobiological stress measurement techniques in relation to key stroke behaviours. The identification of changes in key stroke patterns in relation to psychobiological indices has applications for cyber security and employee wellbeing.

Research Activities

I have received charity and industry funding and I collaborate with colleagues on a range of projects in Australia, USA, and across the UK. I regularly present my research at expert conferences and public dissemination events and have been invited to present keynote presentations at international conferences and events. I am a regular reviewer for key journals in the field, research councils and governmental organisations and an associate editor for the Psychologist.

Publications

Lovell, B., Wetherell, M.A. (2018). Caregivers’ Characteristics and Family Constellation Variables as Predictors of Affiliate Stigma in Caregivers of Children with ASD. Psychiatry Research, in press

Smith, M.A., Thompson, A., Hall, L.J., Allen, S.F., Wetherell, M.A. (2018). The physical and psychological health benefits of positive emotional writing: Investigating the moderating role of Type D (distressed) personality.

British Journal of Health Psychology, in press

Smith, M.A., Riccalton, V.C., Kelly-Hughes, D.H., Craw, O.A., Allen, S.F., O’Connor, D, B., Wetherell, M.A. (2018). The relationship between Type D personality and physical health complaints is

mediated by perceived stress and anxiety but not diurnal cortisol secretion. Stress, the International Journal on the Biology of Stress, In Press

Davis, L., Appleby, R, Davis, P., Wetherell, M.A., Gustafsson, H. (2018). The role of coach-athlete relationship quality in team sport athletes’ psychophysiological exhaustion:

implications for physical and cognitive performance.Journal of Sports Sciences, in press

Elder, G.J., Barclay, N.L., Wetherell, M.A., Ellis, J.G. (2017). Anticipated next day demand affects the magnitude of the cortisol awakening response but not subjective or objective sleep. Journal of Sleep Research, in press

Allen, S.F. Wetherell, M.A., Smith, M.A. (2017). The Cohen-Hoberman Inventory of Physical Symptoms: factor structure and preliminary tests of reliability and validity

in the general population, Psychology and Health, in press

Lovell, B., Wetherell, M.A. (2016). Behaviour problems of children with ASD and perceived stress in their caregivers: the moderating role of trait emotional intelligence.

Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, in press.

Vedhara, K., Dawe, K., Miles, J.N.V., Wetherell, M.A., Cullum, N., Dayane, C., Drake, N., Price, P., Tarlton, J., Weinman, J., Day, A., Campbell, R., Reps, J., Soria, D. (2016).

Illness beliefs predict mortality in patients with diabetic foot ulcers. PLoS ONE, in press

Elder, G.J., Ellis, J.G., Barclay, N.L., Wetherell, M.A. (2016). Assessing the daily stability of the cortisol awakening response in a controlled environment.

BMC Psychology, in press

Lovell, B., Wetherell, M.A. (2016) The psychophysiological impact of childhood autism spectrum disorder on siblings. Research in Developmental Disabilities. 49, 226-234.

Stalder, T., Kirschbaum, C., Kudielka, B.L., Adam, E.K., Pruessner, .JC., Wüst, S., Dockray, S., Smyth, N., Evans, P., Hellhammer, D., Miller, R., Wetherell, M.A.,

Lupien, S., Clow, A. (2015). Assessment of the cortisol awakening response: expert consensus guidelines. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 63, 414-432.

Lovell , B., Wetherell, M.A. (2015) Child behaviour problems mediate the association between coping and perceived stress in caregivers of children with autism Research in

Autism Spectrum Disorders, Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 20, 17-23

Lovell, B. Moss, M., Wetherell, M.A. (2015). Assessing the feasibility and efficacy of written benefit-finding for caregivers of children with autism: a pilot study.

Journal of Family Studies. In press.

Farrelly, D. Owens, R., Elliott, H.R., Walden, H.R., Wetherell, M.A. (2015). The effects of being in a new relationship on levels of testosterone in men. Evolutionary Psychology,

In press.

Wetherell, M.A., Lovell, B., Smith, M.A. (2015). The effects of an anticipated challenge on diurnal cortisol secretion. Stress, International Journal on the Biology of Stress.

18(1) 42-48.

Lovell, B., Wetherell, M.A., Shepherd, L. (2014). Barriers to cervical screening participation in high risk women. Journal of Public Health. In press.

Young, P.M., St. Clair Gibson, A., Partington, E., Partington, S., Wetherell, M.A. (2014). Psychophysiological responses in experienced firefighters undertaking repeated novel self-contained breathing apparatus tasks. Ergonomics, in press.

Young, P.M., Partington, S., Wetherell, M.A., St. Clair Gibson, A., Partington, E. (2014) Coping stretegies of UKfirefighters during acute exposure to on-duty incidences.

Stress & Health. In press

Lovell, B., Elliot, H., Liu, C., Wetherell, M.A. (2014). Memory failures for everyday tasks in caregivers of children with autism. Research in Developmental Disabilities. In press

Vedhara, K., Dawe, K., Miles, J.N.V., Wetherell, M.A., Cullum, N., Dayan, C., Drake, N., Tarlton, J., Weinman, A., Campbell, R. (2014). Patients’ illness beliefs predict self-care behaviours in patients with diabetic foot ulcers: A prospective study. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice. In press

Parrott, A.C., Montgomery, C., Wetherell, M.A., Downey, L.A., Stough, C., Scholey, A.B. (2014). MDMA, cortisol and stress in recreational Ecstasy users.

Behavioural Pharmacology, In press

Roberts, C.A., Wetherell, M.A., Fisk, J.E., Montgomery, C. (2014). Differences in prefrontal blood oxygenation during an acute multitasking stressor in ecstasy polydrug users.

Psychological Medicine, In press.

Scholey, A., Savage, K., O’Neill, B., Owen, L., Stough, C., Priestley, C., Wetherell, M. (2014). Effects of two doses of glucose and a caffeine-glucose combination on cognitive performance and mood during multi-tasking. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical & Experimental, In press

Kelly-Hughes, D., Wetherell, M.A., Smith, M.A. (2014). Type D personality and cardiovascular reactivity to an ecologically valid multitasking stressor.

Psychology and Health. In press.

Wetherell, M.A., Montgomery C. (2014). Basal functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and psychological distress in recreational ecstasy polydrug users.

Psychopharmacology 231: 1365-1375

Wetherell, M.A., Carter, K. (2014). The Multitasking Framework: The effects of increasing workload on acute psychobiological stress reactivity. Stress & Health 30: 103-109.

Camfield, D.A., Wetherell, M.A., Scholey, A.B., Cox, K.H.M., Fogg, E., White, D.J., Sarris, J., Kras, M., Stough, C., Sali, A., Pipingas, A. (2013). The effects of multivitamin supplementation on diurnal cortisol secretion and perceived stress. Nutrients 5: 4429-4450.

Lovell, B., Moss, M., Wetherell, M.A. (2013). The psychophysiological and health corollaries of child problem behaviours in caregivers of children with autism and ADHD. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research. In press.

Pipingas, A., Camfield, D.A., Stough, C., Cox, K.H., Fogg, E., Tiplady, B., Sarris, J., White, D.J., Sali, A., Wetherell, M.A., Scholey, A.B. (2013). The effects of multivitamin supplementation on mood and general well-being in healthy young adults: a laboratory and at-home mobile phone assessment. Appetite 69: 123-136.

Benson, S., Downey, L., Stough, C., Wetherell, M., Scholey, A. (2013). An acute, double-blind, placebo controlled crossover study of 320mg and 640 mg doses of a special extract of Bacopa monnieri (CDRI08) on multitasking stress reactivity and mood. Phytotherapy Research, in press.

Hare, O., Wetherell, M.A., Smith, M.A. (2013). State anxiety and cortisol reactivity to skydiving in novice versus experienced skydivers. Physiology & Behavior. 118, 40-44.

Elder, G.J., Wetherell, M.A., Barclay, N.L., Ellis, J.G. (2013). The cortisol awakening response - applications and implications for sleep medicine. Sleep Medicine Reviews, in press.

Farrelly, D., Slater, R., Elliott, H.R., Walden, H.R., Wetherell, M.A. (2013). Competitors who choose to be red have higher testosterone levels. Psychological Science, in press

Young, P.M., Gibson, A. St.Clair, Partington, E., Partington, S., Wetherell, M.A. (2013). Anxiety, stress and perceived workload during the command and control of computer simulated fire service training environments. International Journal of Emergency Services, in press

Wetherell, M.A., Atherton, K., Grainger, J., Brosman, R., Scholey, A.B. (2012). The effects of multi-tasking on psychological stress reactivity in recreational drug users. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical & Experimental, 27: 167–176

Lovell, B., Moss, M.C., Wetherell, M.A. (2012). With a little help from my friends: Psychological, endocrine and health corollaries of social support in parental caregivers of children with autism and ADHD. Research in Developmental Disabilities. 33 (2), 682-687.

Lovell, B., Moss, M., Wetherell, M.A. (2011). The psychosocial, endocrine and immune consequences of caring for a child with autism or ADHD. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 37, 534-542

Lovell, B., Moss, M., Wetherell, M.A. (2011). Perceived stress, common health complaints and diurnal patterns of cortisol secretion in young, otherwise healthy individuals. Hormones & Behavior, 60 (3), 301-305.

Lovell, B, & Wetherell, M. A. (2011). The cost of caregiving: endocrine and immune implications in elderly and non elderly cohorts. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 35(6), 1342-1352.

Vedhara, K., Miles, J.N.V., Wetherell, M.A. et al. (2010). Coping and depression influence the healing of diabetic foot ulcers: Observation and mechanistic evidence. Diabetologia 53 (8) 1590-1598.

Brant, H., Wetherell, M.A., Lightman, S.L., Crown, A.L. & Vedhara, K. (2010). Discrepancies between physiological and self-report measures of stress in pre-registration doctors at the beginning and the end of a clinical rotation. Stress, the International Journal on the Biology of Stress, 13 (2) 155-162.

Scholey, A.B., Haskell, C.; Robertson, B., Milne, A.; Kennedy, D. & Wetherell, M.A., (2009). Chewing gum alleviates negative mood and reduces cortisol during acute laboratory psychological stress. Physiology & Behavior, 97 (3-4) 304-312.

Shufflebotham, J., Wetherell, M.A.*, Hince, D., Hood, S., Lightman, S., Nutt, D., Probert, C., Potokar, J. (2009) Females with diarrhoea predominant irritable bowel syndrome show an increased pressor response to 35% carbon dioxide stress challenge. Stress, the International Journal on the Biology of Stress, 12(1), 30-6. * Corresponding Author

Searle, A.J., Gale, L., Campbell, R., Wetherell, M.A., et al., (2008). Reducing the burden of chronic wounds: Prevention & management of the diabetic foot in the context of clinical guideline. Journal of Health Services Research & Policy, 13(3), 82–91.

Searle, A.J., Wetherell, M.A., Campbell, R., Dayan, C., Weinman, J., Vedhara, K. (2008). Do patients’ beliefs about type 2 diabetes differ in accordance with complications: an investigation into diabetic foot ulceration and retinopathy? International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 15, 173–179.

Wetherell, M.A., Crown, A.L., Lightman, S.L., Miles, J.N.V., Kaye, J., Vedhara, K. (2006). The four-dimensional stress test: Psychological, sympathetic-adrenal-medullary, parasympathetic and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal responses following inhalation of 35% CO2. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 31(6), 736-47.

Byrne-Davis, L.M.T., Wetherell, M.A., et al., (2006) Emotional Disclosure in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Participants' Views on Mechanisms. Psychology and Health, 21 (5), 667-682.

Wetherell, M.A., Byrne-Davis, L.M.T., Dieppe, P., Horne, R., Weinman, J., Donovan, J., Brookes, S., Byron, M., Miles, J., Vedhara, K. (2005). Effects of emotional disclosure on psychological and physiological outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: An exploratory home-based study. Journal of Health Psychology, 10 (2), 277-285.

Hay, A.D., Montgomery, A., Wetherell, M.A., et al., (2005). The relationship between primary care antibiotic prescribing and bacterial resistance in adults in the community: a controlled observational study using individual patient data. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 56,146-153.

Wetherell, M.A., Sidgreaves, M.C. (2005). Secretory Immunoglobulin A Reactivity Following Increases in Workload Intensity Using the Defined Intensity Stressor Simulation (DISS). Stress and Health, 21, 99-106.

Wetherell, M.A., Hyland, M.E., Harris, J.E. (2004). Secretory immunoglobulin A reactivity to acute and cumulative acute multi-tasking stress: Relationships between reactivity and perceived workload. Biological Psychology, 66, 257-270.

Hyland, M.E., Wetherell, M.A. (2000). Does excessive antibiotic use increase minor health complaints. British Journal of General Practice, 50: (458) 754-755.