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The University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NZ, T +44 (0)1227 764000
Dr Kate Hamilton-WestAssociate Lecturer |
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Research interests
Kate graduated in 1997 from the University of York and worked in medical education and training before completing a PhD in Health Psychology at Kent in 2003. Kate is a Chartered Psychologist (C.Psychol) and is registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC) as a Practicing Health Psychologist. She is a full member of the BPS Division of Health Psychology (DHP) and the European Health Psychology Society (EHPS). Kate is also an accredited supervisor for 'stage 2' trainees in health psychology.
Kate’s research focuses on psychological aspects of chronic illness and inter-relationships between emotions and health. Recent research projects include an evaluation of concordance therapy for older people with Type II diabetes; evaluation of emotional disclosure interventions with ankylosing spondylitis patients and with trauma survivors; qualitative analysis of patient experiences of chronic illness and experimental investigation of physiological responses to positive and negative emotion stimuli.
Kate has an interest in cognitive approaches to understanding and treating ill health and is a member of the COMHAB group - an international collaboration of health psychology researchers with a special interest in cognitive models of health and related behaviour.
Key publications
Hamilton-West, K., Milne, A., Chenery, A. & Tilbrook, C. (in press). Help-seeking in relation to signs of dementia: A pilot study to evaluate the utility of the common-sense model of illness representations. Psychology, Health and Medicine
Mallia, C., & Hamilton-West, K. (2010). Smoking-related attitudes and perceptions among young adults in Malta and the UK. Psychology, Health and Medicine, 15, 347-356.
Hamilton-West, K.E. and Quine, L. (2009) Living with Ankylosing Spondylitis: the patient's perspective. Journal of Health Psychology, 14 (6), 820-830.
Hamilton-West, K. (2006). Factors influencing MMR vaccination decisions following a mumps outbreak on a university campus. Vaccine, 24, 5183-5191.
Also view these in the Kent Academic Repository
Books
Hamilton-West, K.E. (2011)
Psychobiological Processes in Health and Illness.
Sage Publications Ltd., 256 pp. ISBN 9781847872432.
Abstract
Psychobiological Processes in Health and Illness is an accessible and engaging introduction to the interrelationships between mind and body across a broad range of topics including infectious illness, autoimmunity, cancer and pain. Taking a biopsychosocial approach, it brings together research from a number of disciplines including health psychology, psychoneuroimmunology and behavioural genetics.
Students are encouraged to consider how advances in psychobiological research can help us to uncover the true complexity of links between psychological, biological and social processes with respect to implications for health and how such advances can inform the development of interventions and treatment approaches. The textbook presents established theoretical models relevant to psychobiological processes in health and illness, as well as recent developments in systems, technologies and intervention methods. Key terms are defined throughout in order to provide a truly accessible introduction to this fascinating field.
This book will be an essential resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students in health psychology, nursing, medicine and related disciplines.
Articles
Hamilton-West, K.E. (2011)
Wie kann die Beeinträchtigung der Lebensqualität durch den Morbus Bechterew verringert werden?
Morbus Bechterew Journal, 124. pp. 4-7.
Abstract
Im Krankheitsverlauf gibt es große Unterschiede von Patient zu Patient. Es ist deshalb schwierig, den individuellen Krankheitsverlauf vorherzusagen. Manche Patienten sind durch die Krankheit kaum beeinträchtigt. Bei anderen nimmt sie einen progressiven Verlauf mit weitgehenden Folgen und starken Bewegungseinschränkungen oder führt gar zum Tode.
Bei männlichen Patienten ist die Tendenz zur Wirbelsäulenversteifung stärker ausgeprägt, während die Beteiligung von Gelenken außerhalb der Körperachse bei Frauen häufiger ist. Ein Krankheitsbeginn bereits im Kindesalter ist häufig mit einer Hüftgelenkbeteiligung verknüpft. Eine Hüftbeteiligung gilt als ungünstiges Omen für den Krankheitsverlauf. Der aussagekräftigste Vorhersagefaktor für eine weiter fortschreitende knöcherne Versteifung ist eine bereits vorhandene knöcherne Versteifung.
Hamilton-West, K.E. (2010)
Managing the impact of ankylosing spondylitis on the patient and society.
International Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, 5 (5). ISSN 1758-4272.
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to consider the challenges faced by patients and clinicians in relation to long-term management of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a common rheumatic disease with early age of onset, and to provide evidence-based recommendations for minimising the impact of AS on the patient and society. The review is organised into three main sections; the first provides a general background in relation to epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis and classification; the second considers the impacts of AS on the patient and society; the third provides recommendations for minimising these impacts. In particular we highlight the importance of patient education, group exercise, ergonomic adjustment of the work environment, psychological therapies and spa therapies. We also urgently recommend notifying patients of the advantages associated with active membership of a patient support group. Following this review, we present some general conclusions regarding the goals for long-term management of this condition and consider how the field might develop in the future. Necessary research fields for the future are highlighted.
Hamilton-West, K.E. and Milne, A.J. (2010)
Help-seeking in relation to signs of dementia: A pilot study to evaluate the utility of the common-sense model of illness representations.
Psychology, Health and Medicine, 15 (5). pp. 540-549. ISSN 1354-8506.
Abstract
Despite the importance of early diagnosis of dementia, little is known about the factors underlying help-seeking in relation to signs of the condition. In this pilot study we aimed to examine the potential utility of the Common Sense Model (CSM) of illness representations for understanding lay perceptions of dementia and predicting intentions to seek help in relation to possible signs and symptoms. A secondary aim was to develop a measure of (dementia-related) illness representations as a tool for future research. After reading a vignette describing a relative with mild or moderate dementia, participants (N=118) completed measures of illness representations and help-seeking intentions. Analyses compared perceptions of the mild and moderate vignettes and determined the extent to which illness perceptions differentiated between alternative forms of help-seeking (e.g. seeking professional help vs. help from family members). Results indicated that cognitive deficits were more readily identified as dementia than non-cognitive symptoms; these were commonly attributed to stress or depression. Participants were more likely to indicate an intention to seek professional help if they identified the problem in the vignette as dementia, perceived symptoms as severe, as having serious consequences and as likely to be permanent, but less likely to do so if they identified the problem as stress or attributed symptoms to psychological causes. Our preliminary data suggests that help-seeking may be prevented by inaccurate illness representations or misattribution of symptoms. The CSM may provide a useful framework for understanding perceptions of dementia symptoms and for informing help-seeking pathways.
Hamilton-West, K.E. and Mallia, C. (2010)
Smoking-related attitudes and perceptions among young adults in Malta and the UK.
Psychology Health and Medicine, 15 (3). pp. 347-356. ISSN 1465-3966(electronic)1354-8506(paper).
Abstract
Although youth smoking in Europe has been highlighted as a significant public health concern, there is little data available to guide development of population-specific smoking prevention measures. In this study, we examined smoking-prevalence and smoking-related attitudes and perceptions among 118 young adults in Malta (a country for which there is little existing data), with comparison data from a sample of young adults in the UK (N = 112). To ensure that samples were demographically similar (e.g. in terms of age, level of education, and social status) we obtained data from university students. Only students of Maltese nationality (in Malta), or British nationality (in the UK) were invited to participate. Participants completed measures of smoking behavior, perceived risks of smoking, subjective norms, temptation to smoke, and attitudes towards smoking cessation. Almost half (46%) of the Maltese students were current smokers, compared to 25% of the British students. British students were more aware of the risks of smoking than their Maltese counterparts, perceived greater social pressure not to smoke and held more positive attitudes towards smoking cessation; Maltese students reported greater temptation to smoke and were around others who smoke more often than the British students. Attitudes and perceptions were associated with smoking behavior in both samples although the relative importance of psychological determinants of smoking varied between the two samples. Our data indicate higher smoking prevalence and more pro-smoking attitudes/ perceptions among students in Malta, consistent with data for other Southern European countries. Findings also indicate that the influence of smoking-related attitudes and perceptions varies between populations and the influence of social norms in particular may be moderated by nationality.
Hamilton-West, K.E. and Quine, L. (2009)
Living with Ankylosing Spondylitis: the patient's perspective.
Journal of Health Psychology, 14 (6). pp. 820-830. ISSN 1359-1053.
Abstract
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a potentially debilitating chronic condition that necessitates a biopsychosocial approach for successful long-term management. However, the psychosocial consequences of AS are not well understood. In this study patients (N=68) reported impacts of AS across a wide range of life domains; negative impacts included physical effects of AS, changes in mood or personality, effects on social life and relationships with friends and family, low self-esteem, stigma, and worry about the future; positive impacts included increased exercise, feelings of achievement and empathy, stronger relationships, slower pace of life and a more positive perspective. Implications for treatment are discussed.
Hamilton-West, K. and Quine, L. (2007)
Effects of written emotional disclosure on health outcomes in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
Psychology & Health, 22 (6). pp. 637-657. ISSN 0887-0446.
Abstract
The study aimed to evaluate the impact of a written emotional disclosure intervention on psychological and physical health outcomes in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. Forty-five male and twenty-three female AS patients (mean age 52 years) were randomly assigned to write about either stressful (intervention) or neutral (control) topics for 20 min on 3 consecutive days. Three months after writing, intervention participants evidenced significantly better functional status than controls. However, other measures of physical and psychological health were unchanged and the improvement in functional status was not clinically significant. Health improvements in the intervention group were significantly associated with linguistic content reflecting emotional and cognitive processing. Limitations of the emotional disclosure intervention and future research directions are discussed
Hamilton-West, K.E. (2006)
Factors influencing MMR vaccination decisions following a mumps outbreak on a university campus.
Vaccine, 24 (24). pp. 5183-5191. ISSN 0264-410X.
Abstract
Following a number of mumps outbreaks in universities and colleges, the UK Health Protection Agency has suggested that it is appropriate to consider offering the MMR vaccine in these settings. However, little is known about the factors associated with uptake of the MMR jab or perceptions of risks/benefits of the vaccine among higher education students. The current study focused on a sample of students offered the MMR vaccine following an outbreak of mumps on a university campus. Perceptions of risks/benefits of the vaccine varied considerably and students were unlikely to have the jab when perceived risks of immunising were equivalent to perceived risks of not immunising. Results suggest that public health interventions should address students' attitudes towards the vaccine, perceptions of peer expectations, and perceptions of barriers to uptake. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Milne, A.J. and Hamilton-West, K. and Hatzidimitriadou, E. (2005)
GP Attitudes to Early Diagnosis of Dementia: Evidence of Improvement.
Aging and Mental Health, 9 (5). pp. 449-455. ISSN 1360-7863.
Abstract
This paper offers a comparative analysis of GPs attitudes towards early diagnosis of dementia in 1997 and 2001. It draws on data from two studies conducted in the same area using the same research instrument. Overall, findings reveal a significantly greater commitment to early diagnosis at Time 2 than at Time 1. More GPs hold positive attitudes and consider early diagnosis to facilitate a number of practical and therapeutic benefits for users and carers. Further, fewer GPs regard early diagnosis as having negative consequences. Findings also support existing evidence about attitudes being underpinned by drivers and barriers. Those GPs who are committed regard it as an opportunity to offer preventive treatment and plan for the future; barriers include limited treatment options. Primary reasons for the attitudinal shift are greater accessibility of psychiatric colleagues, additional investment in support services, and enhanced policy and clinical emphasis on the value of early diagnosis.
Hamilton-West, K.E. (2004)
Krankheitsbewaltigung bei Spondylitis Ankylosans.
Morbus Bechterew Journal, 97. pp. 20-22.
Hamilton-West, K. (2003)
Coping with Ankylosing Spondylitis: Research Findings.
AS News, July. pp. 3-3.
Netten, A. and Francis, J. and Bebbington, A.C. et al. (2003)
Costs, quality and outcomes.
PSSRU Bulletin, 14. pp. 12-13.
Hamilton-West, K. (2002)
Coping Research.
AS News, June. pp. 8-9.
Hamilton-West, K. and Chryssanthopoulou, C. (2001)
In Good Health. Report on the British Psychological Society Centenary Conference.
The Psychologist, 14 (7). pp. 36-37.
Monographs
Hamilton-West, K. (2003)
Variations in the Costs and Quality of Home Care for Older People, Discussion Paper 2006.
discussion_paper. PSSRU, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent
Past research students
Kerry Wood: The application of the Health Action Process Approach in the treatment of obesity: implications for research and practice
Julie Rowe: The impact of personal beliefs on physical health
Christos Mitsakis: Humour and health: Investigating the specificity hypothesis and possible mechanisms. (Second supervisor with Professor Derek Rutter)
James Cane: Implicit processing of smoking related stimuli and the role of attentional bias in smoking lapse episodes. (Second supervisor with Dr Dinkar Sharma)
Grants
2010 - 2011 |
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust |
£16,511 |
2008 - 2009 |
National Institute for Health Research |
£116,000 |
2006 - 2007 |
Social Science Faculty Small Grant |
£1,000 |
2006 - 2007 |
British Academy |
£1,793 |
Other academic activities
I am a full member of the British Psychological Society Division of Health Psychology, European Health Psychology Society and Association for Contextual Behavioural Science. I am registered with the Health Professions Council. I have acted as a reviewer for a number of peer reviewed journals and funding councils.
Contact
School of Psychology
Keynes College
University of Kent
Canterbury, Kent
CT2 7NP
United Kingdom
Email: Kate Hamilton-West