Profiles
Dr Nicholas Troop
Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology
School of Psychology (Faculty of Health)
Biography
Biography
2022 – present Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology, University of Plymouth2007 – 2022 Principal Lecturer in Health Psychology, University of Hertfordshire
2000 – 2007 Senior Lecturer in Health Psychology, London Metropolitan University
1998 - 2000 Lecturer in Psychology, University of Essex
1997 - 1998 Clinical Research Psychologist, Institute of Psychiatry (London)
2000 – 2007 Senior Lecturer in Health Psychology, London Metropolitan University
1998 - 2000 Lecturer in Psychology, University of Essex
1997 - 1998 Clinical Research Psychologist, Institute of Psychiatry (London)
Qualifications
1992–1996 PhD, Institute of Psychiatry, London (Medical Research Council)
1988–1992 Psychology BSc Hons, University of Dundee, Dundee
Professional membership
Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (British Psychological Society)
Chartered Psychologist (British Psychological Society)
Key publications
(2021) 'Emotional disclosure in palliative care: A scoping review of intervention characteristics and implementation factors' Palliative Medicine 35, (7) 1323-1343 , DOI
(2021) 'Development and validation of the Body Compassion Questionnaire' Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine 9, (1) 951-988 , DOI Open access
(2019) 'Expressive writing as a therapeutic intervention for people with advanced disease: a systematic review' BMC Palliative Care 18, (1) , DOI
(2018) 'Are physical activity interventions for healthy inactive adults effective in promoting behavior change and maintenance, and which behavior change techniques are effective? A systematic review and meta-analysis' Translational Behavioral Medicine 9, (1) 147-157 , DOI
(2016) 'The effect of current and anticipated body pride and shame on dietary restraint and caloric intake' Appetite 96, 375-382 , DOI
Research
Research
Research interests
My main research interest concerns the role of body compassion in relation to health and health behaviours. Body compassion is self-compassion in relation to a negative body image. Recent projects include:
- the development of a measure of body compassion (the Body Compassion and Criticism Scale)
- development of a prospective model for the role of body compassion in physical activity
- the use of body compassion expressive writing interventions to maintain weight and increase physical activity as well as to improve mood and well-being in people with medical conditions.
Other research interests include the role of stress, social rank, shame and affect regulation (including self-compassion) in disordered eating and eating disorders.
Research degrees awarded to supervised students
Holly Cumbers (DClinPsy 2023). Rebuilding Your Life after Stroke: Positive Steps to Wellbeing” an evaluation of unpaid carers’ views using inductive thematic analysis
Timothy Swann (DClinPsy 2022). The Experience of Body Image in People with Sickle Cell Disease
Emily Beadle (PhD 2020). Body shame, body compassion and physical activity
Neil Howlett (PhD 2019). Evidence-based and theoretically-driven behaviour change interventions for physical activity to enhance health and wellbeing
Maria Takousi (PhD 2017). Patients' Health Related Quality of Life after Coronary Revascularization: A longitudinal mixed method study
Sandra Van Os (PhD 2016). A mixed methods study of adherence to prophylactic treatment among young people with haemophilia
Josefine Magnusson (PhD 2016). Experiences of adolescent weight management: The perspectives of primary health care professionals, adolescents and parents
Lois Alexander (PhD 2016). When the bells go down: Resilience and vulnerability in firefighters
Nuriye Kupeli (PhD 2014). Stress, affect systems and eating pathology in problematic weight regulation
Carine Lewis (PhD 2012). The relationship between improvisation and cognition
Cliff Roberts (PhD 2005). Eating behaviour and body weight in a sample of adult women: The role of stress and dietary restraint
Stamatia Sotrilli (Counselling Psychology Doctorate: 2005). Towards curing the unthinkable: Reflections on the process of working with survivors of child sexual abuse
Leanne Andrews (PhD 2002). The structure and function of trauma-related avoidance
Syd Hiskey (PhD 2002). Intrusive experiences and psychological adjustment following trauma
Grants & contracts
LEP/HENRY/EDRF Herts Knowledge Exchange Partnership (2019-2023) – £108,399
(Co-applicant with Neil Howlett)
Developing and testing the feasibility of a programme to improve teenagers’ physical and emotional wellbeing through changes in physical activity and nutritional education
(Co-applicant with Neil Howlett)
Developing and testing the feasibility of a programme to improve teenagers’ physical and emotional wellbeing through changes in physical activity and nutritional education
Alzheimer’s Society Fellowship (2018-2021) – £224,987
(collaborator with UCL: Fellowship awarded to Dr Nuriye Kupeli)
Exploring how family carers experience and maintain continuing compassion in care: the relationship of compassion with psychological and behavioural outcomes, and co-design of an intervention to support it
(collaborator with UCL: Fellowship awarded to Dr Nuriye Kupeli)
Exploring how family carers experience and maintain continuing compassion in care: the relationship of compassion with psychological and behavioural outcomes, and co-design of an intervention to support it
UCL-Marie Curie UBEL Doctoral Training Partnership (2018-2021) - £71,560
(collaborator and on supervisory panel, with Paddy Stone, Nuriye Kupeli and Bridget Candy [supervisors] and Marc Serfaty, Kate Fleming and Adrian Tookman [supervisory panel])
Emotional disclosure as a form of therapeutic intervention on health-related outcomes of people in progressive advanced chronic disease and their family carers
(collaborator and on supervisory panel, with Paddy Stone, Nuriye Kupeli and Bridget Candy [supervisors] and Marc Serfaty, Kate Fleming and Adrian Tookman [supervisory panel])
Emotional disclosure as a form of therapeutic intervention on health-related outcomes of people in progressive advanced chronic disease and their family carers
Southern Academic Coagulation Consortium (2016-2018) - £86,715
(Supervisor with Sandra Van Os [researcher], collaborating with PI [Dr Daniel Hart, Royal London])
Patient activation and quality of life in personalised treatment for haemophilia following pharmacokinetic testing
(Supervisor with Sandra Van Os [researcher], collaborating with PI [Dr Daniel Hart, Royal London])
Patient activation and quality of life in personalised treatment for haemophilia following pharmacokinetic testing
Bayer AG Caregiver Award (2012-2015) - £14,700
(Supervisor with Sandra Van Os [recipient, UH], Dr Daniel Hart [Royal London] and Josefine Magnusson [CRIPACC UH])
Adherence to prophylactic treatment among adolescents and young adults with haemophilia
(Supervisor with Sandra Van Os [recipient, UH], Dr Daniel Hart [Royal London] and Josefine Magnusson [CRIPACC UH])
Adherence to prophylactic treatment among adolescents and young adults with haemophilia
University of Hertfordshire QR Small Grants Competitive Call 2010-2011 - £14,000
(PI with Dr Joe Chilcot [IoP])
Adherence in adolescents and adults with haemophilia
(PI with Dr Joe Chilcot [IoP])
Adherence in adolescents and adults with haemophilia
British Academy Small Grant SG100322 (2010-2012) – £7,298
(PI with Nuriye Kupeli [UH] and Dr Cliff Roberts [Southbank University])
Stress and weight regain in formerly overweight women
(PI with Nuriye Kupeli [UH] and Dr Cliff Roberts [Southbank University])
Stress and weight regain in formerly overweight women
MRC-ESRC Interdisciplinary Studentship (2009-2013) - £82,670
(PI with Professors Ulrike Schmidt and Iain Campbell at the Institute of Psychiatry)
Stress and affect systems in problematic weight regulation
(PI with Professors Ulrike Schmidt and Iain Campbell at the Institute of Psychiatry)
Stress and affect systems in problematic weight regulation
Knowledge Transfer Partnership (2008-2010) - £99,044
(Academic Advisor with Professor Fletcher [UH], Professor Pine [UH], Dr Mike Page [UH] and Mr Eamonn Swanton [Heales Medical])
Development of a Positive Health Intervention Toolkit for use in occupational settings
(Academic Advisor with Professor Fletcher [UH], Professor Pine [UH], Dr Mike Page [UH] and Mr Eamonn Swanton [Heales Medical])
Development of a Positive Health Intervention Toolkit for use in occupational settings
ESRC funded PhD Studentship (2000-2002) - £24,000
(Principal Supervisor with Leanne Andrews [Student])
Controlled and automatic avoidance following occupational trauma in emergency service personnel
(Principal Supervisor with Leanne Andrews [Student])
Controlled and automatic avoidance following occupational trauma in emergency service personnel
ESRC funded PhD Studentship (1999-2002) - £36,000
(Principal Supervisor with Syd Hiskey [Student])
Posttraumatic growth following trauma
(Principal Supervisor with Syd Hiskey [Student])
Posttraumatic growth following trauma
Publications
Publications
Key publications
(2021) 'Emotional disclosure in palliative care: A scoping review of intervention characteristics and implementation factors' Palliative Medicine 35, (7) 1323-1343 , DOI
(2021) 'Development and validation of the Body Compassion Questionnaire' Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine 9, (1) 951-988 , DOI Open access
(2019) 'Expressive writing as a therapeutic intervention for people with advanced disease: a systematic review' BMC Palliative Care 18, (1) , DOI
(2018) 'Are physical activity interventions for healthy inactive adults effective in promoting behavior change and maintenance, and which behavior change techniques are effective? A systematic review and meta-analysis' Translational Behavioral Medicine 9, (1) 147-157 , DOI
(2016) 'The effect of current and anticipated body pride and shame on dietary restraint and caloric intake' Appetite 96, 375-382 , DOI
Key publications are highlighted
Journals
Articles
(2023) 'A systematic review of interventions targeting physical activity and/or healthy eating behaviours in adolescents: practice and training' Health Psychology Review 1-24 , DOI Open access
(2022) 'Outcome evaluation of Active Herts: A community-based physical activity programme for inactive adults at risk of cardiovascular disease and/or low mental wellbeing' Frontiers in Public Health 10, , DOI Open access
(2021) 'A Multilevel Multidimensional Finite Mixture Item Response Model to Cluster Respondents and Countries' European Journal of Psychological Assessment 37, (6) 473-484 , DOI
(2021) 'Emotional disclosure in palliative care: A scoping review of intervention characteristics and implementation factors' Palliative Medicine 35, (7) 1323-1343 , DOI
(2021) 'Development and validation of the Body Compassion Questionnaire' Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine 9, (1) 951-988 , DOI Open access
(2020) 'Determinants of weekly sitting time: construct validation of an initial COM-B model and comparison of its predictive validity with the Theory of Planned Behaviour' Psychology & Health 36, (1) 96-114 , DOI
(2020) 'Adherence to prophylaxis in adolescents and young adults with severe haemophilia: a qualitative study with healthcare professionals' Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine 8, (1) 55-72 , DOI
(2019) 'Expressive writing as a therapeutic intervention for people with advanced disease: a systematic review' BMC Palliative Care 18, (1) , DOI
(2019) 'Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q): Norms and psychometric properties in U.K. females and males' Psychological Assessment 31, (7) 839-850 , DOI
(2019) 'Multiple Group IRT Measurement Invariance Analysis of the Forms of Self-Criticising/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale in Thirteen International Samples' Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy 37, (4) 411-444 , DOI
(2019) 'Web-based indicated prevention of common mental disorders in university students in four European countries – Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial' Internet Interventions 16, 35-42 , DOI
(2018) 'The Factor Structure of the Forms of Self-Criticising/Attacking & Self-Reassuring Scale in Thirteen Distinct Populations' Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment 40, (4) 736-751 , DOI
(2018) 'Are physical activity interventions for healthy inactive adults effective in promoting behavior change and maintenance, and which behavior change techniques are effective? A systematic review and meta-analysis' Translational Behavioral Medicine 9, (1) 147-157 , DOI
(2018) 'Adherence to prophylaxis in adolescents and young adults with severe haemophilia A, a qualitative study with patients' Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine 6, (1) 277-300 , DOI
(2018) 'The impact of an emotionally expressive writing intervention on eating pathology in female students' Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine 6, (1) 162-179 , DOI
(2017) 'A prospective study exploring the construct and predictive validity of the COM-B model for physical activity' Journal of Health Psychology 24, (10) 1378-1391 , DOI
(2017) 'Development of the Mini-BCIBS' European Journal of Psychological Assessment 33, (6) 471-474 , DOI
(2017) 'Adherence to Prophylaxis in Adolescents and Young Adults with Severe Haemophilia: A Quantitative Study with Patients' PLOS ONE 12, (1) e0169880-e0169880 , DOI
(2017) 'Affect systems, changes in body mass index, disordered eating and stress: an 18-month longitudinal study in women' Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine 5, (1) 214-228 , DOI
(2016) 'Health-Related Quality of Life after Coronary Revascularization: A systematic review with meta-analysis' Hellenic Journal of Cardiology 57, (4) 223-237 , DOI
(2016) 'The effect of current and anticipated body pride and shame on dietary restraint and caloric intake' Appetite 96, 375-382 , DOI
(2015) 'What are the most effective behaviour change techniques to promote physical activity and/or reduce sedentary behaviour in inactive adults? A systematic review protocol: Table 1' BMJ Open 5, (8) e008573-e008573 , DOI
(2015) 'Social Rank, Rank‐Related Life Events and Eating Pathology' European Eating Disorders Review 24, (1) 75-77 , DOI
(2015) 'Translation, adaptation and validation of the Coronary Revascularization Outcome Questionnaire into Greek' European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing 15, (2) 134-141 , DOI
(2015) 'Support for the location of negative posttraumatic cognitions in the diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder' Personality and Individual Differences 74, 192-195 , DOI
(2014) 'A Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Validation of the Vulnerable Attachment Style Questionnaire' Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment 37, (1) 153-163 , DOI
(2013) 'Increases in Weight during Chronic Stress are Partially Associated with a Switch in Food Choice towards Increased Carbohydrate and Saturated Fat Intake' European Eating Disorders Review 22, (1) 77-82 , DOI
(2013) 'Social defeat and <scp>PTSD</scp> symptoms following trauma' British Journal of Clinical Psychology 52, (4) 365-379 , DOI
(2013) 'The structure of avoidance following trauma: Development and validation of the Posttraumatic Avoidance Scale (PAS)' Traumatology 19, (2) 126-135 , DOI
(2013) 'Social cognitive predictors of intention to test for variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in those affected by haemophilia and other clotting disorders' Journal of Health Psychology 19, (6) 809-817 , DOI
(2013) 'Social Rank and Symptom Change in Eating Disorders: A 6‐month Longitudinal Study' Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy 21, (2) 115-122 , DOI
(2012) 'Helplessness, mastery and the development of eating disorders: Exploring the links between vulnerability and precipitating factors' Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity 17, (4) e274-e281 , DOI
(2012) 'Brief report: Effect of dietary restraint on fruit and vegetable intake following implementation intentions' Journal of Health Psychology 18, (7) 861-865 , DOI
(2012) 'A confirmatory factor analysis and validation of the forms of self‐criticism/reassurance scale' British Journal of Clinical Psychology 52, (1) 12-25 , DOI
(2012) 'Expressive writing, self‐criticism, and self‐reassurance' Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice 86, (4) 374-386 , DOI
(2012) 'A pilot study on the effects and feasibility of compassion-focused expressive writing in Day Hospice patients' Palliative and Supportive Care 10, (2) 115-122 , DOI
(2012) 'General shame and Bodily Shame in Eating Disorders: A 2.5‐Year Longitudinal Study' European Eating Disorders Review 20, (5) 373-378 , DOI
(2010) 'A Randomized Controlled Two-Stage Trial in the Treatment of Bulimia Nervosa, Comparing CBT Versus Motivational Enhancement in Phase 1 Followed by Group Versus Individual CBT in Phase 2' Psychosomatic Medicine 72, (7) 656-663 , DOI
(2008) 'The Specificity of Social Rank in Eating Disorder Versus Depressive Symptoms' Eating Disorders 16, (4) 331-341 , DOI
(2008) 'Shame in women with a history of eating disorders' European Eating Disorders Review 16, (6) 480-488 , DOI
(2007) 'The Effects of Stress on Body Weight: Biological and Psychological Predictors of Change in BMI' Obesity 15, (12) 3045-3055 , DOI
(2007) 'Poor social comparison and the tendency to submissive behavior in anorexia nervosa' International Journal of Eating Disorders 40, (8) 733-739 , DOI
(2006) 'Disgust and fear ratings of eating disorder-relevant stimuli: Associations with dieting concerns and fat intake' Anxiety, Stress & Coping 19, (4) 421-433 , DOI
(2006) 'Confirmatory factor analysis of posttraumatic stress symptoms in emergency personnel: An examination of seven alternative models' Personality and Individual Differences 41, (2) 213-224 , DOI
(2006) 'Establishing a useful distinction between current and anticipated bodily shame in eating disorders' Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity 11, (2) 83-90 , DOI
(2006) 'The pros and cons of change in individuals with eating disorders: A broader perspective' International Journal of Eating Disorders 39, (5) 394-403 , DOI
(2006) 'The Conceptualisation and Development of a Bi-Directional Measure of Changes in Being Following Adversity' Traumatology 12, (1) 25-43 , DOI
(2004) 'The development of the P‐CAN, a measure to operationalize the pros and cons of anorexia nervosa' International Journal of Eating Disorders 36, (4) 416-433 , DOI
(2004) 'Multidimensionality of intrusion and avoidance: alternative factor models of the Impact of Event Scale' Personality and Individual Differences 36, (2) 431-446 , DOI
(2003) 'Social comparison and submissive behaviour in eating disorder patients' Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice 76, (3) 237-249 , DOI
(2003) 'Shame, depressive symptoms and eating, weight and shape concerns in a non-clinical sample' Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity 8, (1) 72-75 , DOI
(2003) 'Personality Disorders and Personality Dimensions in Anorexia Nervosa' Journal of Personality Disorders 17, (1) 73-85 , DOI
(2003) 'Developing a stage of change measure for assessing recovery from anorexia nervosa' Eating Behaviors 3, (4) 365-385 , DOI
(2002) 'Attempted versus successful avoidance: associations with distress, symptoms, and strategies for mental control' Personality and Individual Differences 33, (6) 897-907 , DOI
(2002) 'An Exploration of Eating Disorders in a Georgian Sample' International Journal of Social Psychiatry 48, (3) 220-230 , DOI
(2002) 'Online longitudinal survey research: Viability and participation' Social Science Computer Review 20, (3) 250-259 , DOI
(2002) 'Fear, disgust, and abnormal eating attitudes: A preliminary study' International Journal of Eating Disorders 32, (2) 213-218 , DOI
(2002) 'Childhood social arena and cognitive sets in eating disorders' British Journal of Clinical Psychology 41, (2) 205-211 , DOI
(2001) 'A further exploration of disgust in eating disorders' European Eating Disorders Review 10, (3) 218-226 , DOI
(2001) 'Same pie, different portions: shape and weight‐based self‐esteem and eating disorder symptoms in a Georgian sample' European Eating Disorders Review 10, (2) 110-119 , DOI
(2001) 'Specificity in the relationship between depressive and eating disorder symptoms in remitted and nonremitted women' International Journal of Eating Disorders 30, (3) 306-311 , DOI
(2001) 'Perceptual illusions in eating disorders: rigid and fluctuating styles' Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry 32, (3) 107-115 , DOI
(2001) 'Compliance with a self‐care manual in guided self‐change for bulimia nervosa' European Eating Disorders Review 9, (4) 255-262 , DOI
(2001) 'Compliance with a self‐care manual in guided self‐change for bulimia nervosa' European Eating Disorders Review 9, (2) 115-122 , DOI
(2001) 'Disgust discussed II: this time it's (inter)personal' European Eating Disorders Review 9, (1) 66-68 , DOI
(2000) 'Differential environmental factors in anorexia nervosa: A sibling pair study' British Journal of Clinical Psychology 39, (2) 193-203 , DOI
(2000) 'Disgust sensitivity in eating disorders: A preliminary investigation' International Journal of Eating Disorders 27, (4) 446-451 , DOI
(2000) 'Binge frequency predicts outcome in guided self-care treatment of bulimia nervosa' European Eating Disorders Review 8, (4) 272-278 , DOI
(2000) 'Eating disorders in males: a comparison with female patients' European Eating Disorders Review 8, (4) 321-328 , DOI
(2000) 'Self-esteem and responsibility for change in recovery from bulimia nervosa' European Eating Disorders Review 8, (5) 384-393 , DOI
(1999) 'Engagement and outcome in the treatment of bulimia nervosa: first phase of a sequential design comparing motivation enhancement therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy' Behaviour Research and Therapy 37, (5) 405-418 , DOI
(1999) 'Events and the onset of eating disorders: Correcting an ?age old? myth' International Journal of Eating Disorders 25, (1) 83-88 , DOI
(1998) 'Eating disorders as coping strategies: a critique' European Eating Disorders Review 6, (4) 229-237 , DOI
(1998) 'Stress, coping, and crisis support in eating disorders' International Journal of Eating Disorders 24, (2) 157-166 , DOI
(1998) 'Guided Self-Change for Bulimia Nervosa Incorporating Use of a Self-Care Manual' American Journal of Psychiatry 155, (7) 947-953 , DOI
(1998) 'Wie wirksam und akzeptabel ist ein Selbstbehandlungsmanual mit begleitender Kurztherapie bei Bulimia nervosa?' Der Nervenarzt 69, (5) 427-436 , DOI
(1998) 'Theoretical note: When is a coping strategy not a coping strategy?' Anxiety, Stress, & Coping 11, (1) 81-87 , DOI
(1997) 'The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder and its relation to childhood adversity in subjects with eating disorders' European Eating Disorders Review 5, (4) 270-277 , DOI
(1997) 'Psychosocial factors in the onset of eating disorders: Responses to life‐events and difficulties' British Journal of Medical Psychology 70, (4) 373-385 , DOI
(1997) 'Setting the scene for eating disorders, II. Childhood helplessness and mastery' Psychological Medicine 27, (3) 531-538 , DOI
(1997) 'Predictors of outcome for two treatments for bulimia nervosa: Short and long term' International Journal of Eating Disorders 21, (1) 17-22 , DOI
(1997) 'Social support in patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa' International Journal of Eating Disorders 21, (1) 31-38 , DOI
(1996) 'An Approach to Planning Services for Bulimia Nervosa' British Journal of Psychiatry 169, (5) 551-554 , DOI
(1996) 'Compliance with a self‐care manual for bulimia nervosa: Predictors and outcome' British Journal of Clinical Psychology 35, (3) 435-438 , DOI
(1996) 'To change or not to change—‘How’ is the question?' British Journal of Medical Psychology 69, (2) 139-146 , DOI
(1996) 'Sequential Treatment for Bulimia Nervosa Incorporating A Self-Care Manual' British Journal of Psychiatry 168, (1) 94-98 , DOI
(1995) 'Feelings and fantasy in eating disorders: A factor analysis of the Toronto alexithymia scale' International Journal of Eating Disorders 18, (2) 151-157 , DOI
(1995) 'Doubly disabled: diabetes in combination with an eating disorder' Postgraduate Medical Journal 71, (839) 546-550 , DOI
(1995) '[Help with self-care]' Nervenarzt 66, (7) 505-510
(1994) 'Ways of Coping in Women with Eating Disorders' The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease 182, (10) 535-540 , DOI
(1994) 'Eating disorders in boarding schools: A survey of school matrons' European Eating Disorders Review 2, (2) 106-113 , DOI
(1994) 'First step in managing bulimia nervosa: controlled trial of therapeutic manual' BMJ 308, (6930) 686-689 , DOI
Chapters
Artefacts
Albums released under the name CatDesigners:Chemical Jazz(2003)
Strange Little Creature(2004)
Tomorrow Never Knows (2006)
Strange Little Creature(2004)
Tomorrow Never Knows (2006)