Professor Jane Simpson
ProfessorResearch Overview
My research interests are around the psychological experiences of people with adult-onset neurodegenerative conditions (including those who live away from their country of birth), self-disgust and the relationship between emotion and cognition more generally.
Current Research
I am interested in the experiences of people with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease. My research with people with neurodegenerative diseases is from a specifically psychological (as opposed to psychiatric) perspective and, as such, tries to reformulate difficulties which can sometimes be termed 'neuropsychiatric'. With colleagues at Sheffield Uinversity I am interested in the potential of the concept of self disgust to help us understand why psychological therapies are not successful for a significant proportion of people with low mood, eating disorders etc. With colleagues within DHR I am also exploring the relationship between disability studies and clinical psychology
Research Interests
Jane joined the Division in 2003. Her PhD was entitled 'A cognitive investigation of schizophrenic delusions' and a major focus of her research interests still centres on the relevance of cognitive mechanisms to our understanding of the cause and maintenance of delusions. Other interests include emotional and cognitive factors in obsessive-compulsive disorder, cognition and depression and cognitive, emotional and health care needs of people with Parkinson's disease. Jane is also a chartered clinical psychologist who works clinically in the Lancaster area.
Supervisory Areas:
Jane is interested in supervising postgraduate research projects which investigate the relationship between emotion and cognition. She is particularly interested in projects on self-disgust, Parkinson's disease and other chronic health problems. Please contact Jane directly for further details.
Current Teaching
My current teaching centres on research methods in clinical psychology plus specialised teaching on delusions, health psychology and research ethics.
PhD Supervision Interests
I am interested in receiving applications related to any of my research areas: delusions, obsessions, Parkinson's disease or health outcomes in chronic illness. I would prefer potential PhD students to contact me by email before making an application.
Selected Publications
A systematic review of pre-operative predictors of post-operative depression and anxiety in individuals who have undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
McKenzie, L.H., Simpson, J., Stewart, M. 01/2010 In: Psychology, Health and Medicine. 15, 1, p. 74-93. 20 p.
Journal article
Which clinical and demographic factors predict poor insight in individuals with obsessions and/or compulsions?
Elvish, J., Simpson, J., Ball, L.J. 03/2010 In: Journal of Anxiety Disorders. 24, 2, p. 231-237. 7 p.
Journal article
A qualitative analysis of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in Parkinson's disease.
Fitzpatrick, L., Simpson, J., Smith, A. 06/2010 In: Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice. 83, 2, p. 179-192. 14 p.
Journal article
An interpretative phenomenological analysis of delusions in people with Parkinson's disease.
Todd, D., Simpson, J., Murray, C.D. 01/2010 In: Disability and Rehabilitation. 32, 15, p. 1291-1299. 9 p.
Journal article
The relationship between pre-morbid personality and challenging behaviour in people with dementia: A systematic review
Osborne, H., Simpson, J., Stokes, G. 07/2010 In: Aging and Mental Health. 14, 5, p. 503-515. 13 p.
Journal article
Exploring the impact of multiple sclerosis on a person's psychological wellbeing
Woods, L., Boot, L., Simpson, J. 2010 In: Way Ahead. 14, p. 6-7. 2 p.
Journal article
Self-esteem and self-disgust both mediate the relationship between dysfunctional cognitions and depressive symptoms
Simpson, J., Hillman, R., Crawford, T., Overton, P.G. 12/2010 In: Motivation and Emotion. 34, 4, p. 399-406. 8 p.
Journal article
Debates and controversies on training clinical psychologists in the UK: an introduction to the special issue
Murray, C., Simpson, J. 2010 In: Psychology, Learning and Teaching. 9, 2, 2 p.
Editorial
Debates and controversies on training clinical psychologists in the UK
Murray, C., Simpson, J. 2010 In: Psychology, Learning and Teaching. 9, 2
Special issue
Shortlisting from the Clearing House Application Form: is it fit for purpose?
Simpson, J., Hemmings, R., Daiches, A., Amor, C. 2010 In: Psychology, Learning and Teaching. 9, 2, 5 p.
Special issue
A psychosocial model of parent fixation in people with dementia: The role of personality and attachment
Osborne, H., Stokes, G., Simpson, J. 2010 In: Aging and Mental Health. 14, 8, p. 928-937. 10 p.
Journal article
Reconsidering the term 'carer': a critique of the universal adoption of the term 'carer'
Molyneaux, V., Butchard, S., Simpson, J., Murray, C. 04/2011 In: Ageing and Society. 31, 3, p. 422-437. 16 p.
Journal article
The case for cognitive analytic therapy in learning disability services
Breckon, S., Simpson, J. 03/2011 In: Clinical Psychology and People with Learning Difficulties. 9, 1, p. 2-7. 6 p.
Journal article
A review of the demographic, clinical and psychosocial correlates of perceived control in three chronic motor illnesses
Eccles, F., Simpson, J. 2011 In: Disability and Rehabilitation. 33, 13-14, p. 1065-88. 24 p.
Journal article
Perceptions of cause and control in people with Parkinson's disease.
Eccles, F., Murray, C., Simpson, J. 2011 In: Disability and Rehabilitation. 33, 15-16, p. 1409-1420. 12 p.
Journal article
The potential benefits of applying a narrative analytic approach in understanding the experience of fibromyalgia: A review.
MacMahon, L., Murray, C., Simpson, J. 01/2012 In: Disability and Rehabilitation. 34, 13, p. 1121-1130. 10 p.
Journal article
Perceptions of cause and control of impulse control behaviours in people with Parkinson’s disease
Delaney, M., Simpson, J., Leroi, I. 09/2012 In: British Journal of Health Psychology. 17, 3, p. 522-535. 14 p.
Journal article
Clients' perspectives of rehabilitation in one acquired brain injury residential rehabilitation unit: a thematic analysis
Gill, I., Wall, G., Simpson, J. 2012 In: Brain Injury. 26, 7-8, p. 909-920. 12 p.
Journal article
Impulse control disorders in Parkinson's disease: a psychosocial perspective
Delaney, M., Leroi, I., Simpson, J., Overton, P.G. 09/2012 In: Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings. 19, 3, p. 338-346. 9 p.
Journal article
MS and me: exploring the impact of multiple sclerosis on perceptions of self
Mozo-Dutton, L., Simpson, J., Boot, J. 01/2012 In: Disability and Rehabilitation. 34, 14, p. 1208-1217. 10 p.
Journal article
The co-construction of couplehood in dementia.
Molyneaux, V., Butchard, S., Simpson, J., Murray, C. 07/2012 In: Dementia. 11, 4, p. 483-502. 20 p.
Journal article
The experience of caring for a partner with young onset dementia: how younger carers cope
Lockeridge, S., Simpson, J. 09/2013 In: Dementia. 12, p. 633-649. 17 p.
Journal article
Experiences of spouses of people with dementia in long-term care
Mullin, J., Simpson, J., Froggatt, K. 03/2013 In: Dementia. 12, 2, p. 177-191. 15 p.
Journal article
The subjective experience of personhood in dementia care settings
Nowell, Z., Thornton, A., Simpson, J. 07/2013 In: Dementia. 12, 4, p. 394-409. 16 p.
Journal article
Depression, anxiety and positive affect in people diagnosed with low-grade tumours: the role of illness perceptions
Keeling, M., Bambrough, J., Simpson, J. 06/2013 In: Psycho-Oncology. 22, 6, p. 1421-1427. 7 p.
Journal article
A narrative exploration of older people’s transitions into residential care
Lee, V.S.P., Simpson, J., Froggatt, K. 2013 In: Aging and Mental Health. 17, 1, p. 48-56. 9 p.
Journal article
All Publications
Guided self-help for anxiety among Huntington’s disease gene expansion carriers: a randomised controlled feasibility
01/01/2022 → 31/10/2024
Research
Assessing the well-being implications of the COVID-19 restrictions on individuals affected by Parkinson's
09/03/2021 → 08/09/2022
Research
Minds & Movement: Psychological Guidance for People with Motor Neurodegenerative Disorders
01/09/2018 → 01/01/2021
Research
Producing guidance on psychological approaches to the understanding and treatment of psychological difficulties in adults with motor neurodegenerative conditions
01/05/2018 → 31/12/2022
Research
UHMBT Studentship: Cognitive Dysfunction and Early Dementia in Chronic Kidney Disease
01/10/2014 → 30/09/2015
Research
Seminar and international team building
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
Working group summary (Psychological Approaches and Interventions)
Invited talk
Huntington Study Group (HSG) Annual Meeting 2021 - "Unmasking HD"
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
European Huntington's Disease Network Plenary Meeting 2021
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
British Society of Gerontology 2021 50th Anniversary Conference
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Psychological therapies for neurodegenerative conditions
Invited talk
Working psychologically with people with multiple sclerosis
Participation in workshop, seminar, course
Mental health for people with Huntington's
Invited talk
Parkinson's and COVID
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
Working psychologically with people with motor neurone disease and Huntington’s disease
Participation in workshop, seminar, course
Working psychologically with people with Parkinson’s
Participation in workshop, seminar, course
Parkinson's UK conference 2020
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
European Huntingdon’s Disease Network (External organisation)
Membership of committee
External examiner
Examination
European Huntington’s Disease Network Plenary Meeting 2018
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Huntington Study Group (HSG) Annual Meeting 2018 - "Unlocking HD"
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Huntington Study Group (HSG) Annual Meeting 2017 - "Elevating HD"
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Huntington Study Group (HSG) Annual Meeting 2015 - "Building Our Future"
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Young people and Huntington's
Invited talk
- Centre for Ageing Research