This page contains an up-to-date list of publications in the Lab’s various research streams. If you have difficulty accessing any of the publications, feel free to email the authors, who will be happy to send you a copy.
Psychiatric diagnosis
O'Connor, C., Brown, G., Suty, L., Debono, J., & Joffe, H. (2024). How trauma is represented on social media: Analysis of #trauma content on TikTok. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. (opens in a new window)https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001792
O'Connor, C., & Downey, M. (2024). Stereotyping adult autism in popular media: A content analysis of generic statements about autistic adults in British newspapers, 2014-2023. Autism in Adulthood. (opens in a new window)https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2024.0164
O'Connor, C. (2024). Public perspectives on AI diagnosis of mental illness. General Psychiatry. (opens in a new window)https://doi.org/10.1136/gpsych-2023-101370
Nayyar, J., Stapleton, A., Guerin, S., & O'Connor, C. (2024). Exploring lived experiences of receiving an autism diagnosis in adulthood: A systematic review. Autism in Adulthood. (opens in a new window)https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2023.0152
O'Connor, C., Armour, C., & Joffe, H. (2023). Lay concepts of trauma in the United Kingdom: Content and predictors. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. (opens in a new window)https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001620
Gosling, C. J., Caparos, S., Pinabiaux, C., Schwarzer, G., Rücker, G., Agha, S. S., ... O'Connor, C., ... & Vos, M. (2023). Association between relative age at school and persistence of ADHD in prospective studies: an individual participant data meta-analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry, 10(12), 922-933. (opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(23)00272-9
Coey, P., Craith, I. N., McQuaid, L., D'Alton, P., & O'Connor, C. (2023). Does explaining psychogenic nonepileptic seizures using either a biomedical or biopsychosocial framework affect young people’s illness representations? An experimental vignette study. Epilepsy & Behavior, 142, 109186. (opens in a new window)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109186
Orphanidou, M., Kadianaki, I., & O’Connor, C. (2023). Depression as an embodied experience: Identifying the central role of the body in meaning-making and identity processes. Qualitative Health Research, 33(6), 509-520. (opens in a new window)https://doi.org/10.1177/10497323231154210
Huggard, L., & O’Connor, C. (2023). How does the public understand the causes of mental disorders? An analysis of Irish news media before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. PLOS ONE, 18(4), e0284095. (opens in a new window)https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0284095
Huggard, L., Murphy, R., O’Connor, C., & Nearchou, F. (2023). The social determinants of mental illness: A rapid review of systematic reviews. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 44(4), 302-312. (opens in a new window)https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2023.2186124
O’Connor, C., Seery, C., & Young, C. (2022) How does it feel to have one’s psychiatric diagnosis altered? Exploring lived experiences of diagnostic shifts in adult mental healthcare.Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, 820162.(opens in a new window)https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.820162.
Dave, B., & O’Connor, C. (2022). A systematic review of the antecedents, correlates, and consequences of continuum beliefs about depression. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, 10, 100403.(opens in a new window)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2022.100403.
O’Connor, C. (2021). Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected lay beliefs about the cause and course of mental illness?International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(9), 4912.(opens in a new window)https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094912
O’Connor, C., Brassil, M., O’Sullivan, S., Seery, C., & Nearchou, F. (2021). How does diagnostic labelling affect social responses towards people with mental illness? A systematic review of experimental studies using vignette-based designs.Journal of Mental Health.(opens in a new window)https://doi.org/10.1080/09638237.2021.1922653
Seery, C., Bramham, J., & O’Connor, C. (2021). Effects of a psychiatric diagnosis vs a clinical formulation on lay attitudes to people with psychosis.Psychosis, 13(4), 361-372. (opens in a new window)https://doi.org/10.1080/17522439.2021.1901302
O’Connor, C., & Vaughan, S. (2021). Does selectively endorsing different approaches to treating mental illness affect beliefs about the cause and course of mental illness?Psychiatry Research, 297.(opens in a new window)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2021.113726
O’Connor, C., McNamara, N., & O’Hara, L., McNicholas, M., & McNicholas, F (2021). How do people with eating disorders experience the stigma associated with their condition? A mixed-methods systematic review.Journal of Mental Health, 30(4), 454-469.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09638237.2019.1685081
O’Connor, C., & McNicholas, F. (2020). Lived experiences of diagnostic shifts in child and adolescent mental health contexts: A qualitative interview study with young people and parents. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology,48(8), 979-993.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10802-020-00657-0
O’Connor, C., Downs, J., Shetty, H., & McNicholas, F. (2020). Diagnostic trajectories in child and adolescent mental health services: Exploring the prevalence and patterns of diagnostic adjustments in an electronic mental health case register. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 29(8), 1111-1123.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00787-019-01428-z
O’Connor, C., Downs, J., McNicholas, F., Cross, L., & Shetty, H. (2020). Documenting diagnosis in child and adolescent mental healthcare: A content analysis of diagnostic statements in a psychiatric case register. Children and Youth Services Review, 113, 104948.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.104948
Fowler, K., & O’Connor, C. (2020). “I just rolled up my sleeves”: Mothers’ perspectives on raising girls on the autism spectrum.Autism,25(1), 275-287.(opens in a new window)https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361320956876
O’Connor, C., Burke, J., & Rooney, B. (2020). Diagnostic disclosure and social marginalisation of adults with ASD: Is there a relationship and what mediates it? Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders,50(9), 3367-3379.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04239-y
O’Connor, C., & Murphy, L. (2020). Effects of diagnostic disclosure and varying diagnostic terminology on social attitudes to personality disorder: An experimental vignette study. Personality Disorders:Theory, Research, and Treatment, https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/per0000447
O’Connor, C., & McNicholas, F. (2020). What differentiates children with ADHD symptoms who do and do not receive a formal diagnosis? Results from a prospective longitudinal cohort study. Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 51, 138-150.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10578-019-00917-1
McNicholas, F., Sharma, S., O’Connor, C., & Barrett, E. (2020). Burnout in consultants in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in Ireland: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open, 10(1), e030354.(opens in a new window)http://dx.doi.org.ucd.idm.oclc.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-030354
Nolan, A., & O’Connor, C. (2019). The effect of causal attributions for depression on help-seeking and treatment preferences. Journal of Affective Disorders, 257,477-485.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.07.017
O’Connor, C., Kadianaki, I., Maunder, K., & McNicholas, F. (2018). How does psychiatric diagnosis affect young people’s self-concept and social identity? A systematic review and synthesis of the qualitative literature.Social Science & Medicine, 212, 94-119.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.07.011
O’Connor, C., Reulbach, U., Gavin, B., & McNicholas, F. (2018). A prospective longitudinal investigation of the (dis)continuity of mental health difficulties between mid-to late-childhood and the predictive role of familial factors. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 27(3),289-300.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00787-017-1044-5
McNicholas, F., O’Connor, C., McNamara, N., & O’Hara, L. (2018). Eating disorder services for young people in Ireland: Perspectives of service providers, service users and the general adolescent population. Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine,35(4), 301-309.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/ipm.2015.66
O’Connor, C., McNamara, N., O’Hara, L., & McNicholas, F. (2015). Eating disorder literacy and stigmatising attitudes toward anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder among adolescents.Advances in Eating Disorders,4(2), 125-140.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21662630.2015.1129635
McNicholas, F., O’Connor, C., O’Hara, L., & McNamara, N. (2015). Stigma and treatment of eating disorders in Ireland: Healthcare professionals’ knowledge and attitudes.Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine,33(1), 21-31.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/ipm.2015.24
Lay theories of gender and sexual orientation
O’Connor, C., Maher, P., & Kadianaki, K. (2019). Exploring the relationship between lay theories of gender and attitudes to abortion in the context of a national referendum on abortion policy.PLOS ONE, 14(6):e0218333.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0218333
O’Connor, C. (2017). ‘Appeals to nature’ in marriage equality debates: A content analysis of newspaper and social media discourse. British Journal of Social Psychology, 56(3), 493-514.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bjso.12191
O’Connor, C., & Joffe, H. (2014). Gender on the brain: A case study of science communication in the new media environment.PLoS ONE, 9, e110830.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0110830
O’Connor, C., & Joffe, H. (2014). The social aetiology of essentialist beliefs.Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 37(5), 498-499.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X1300383X
Public engagement with neuroscience
Keary, S., Ivers, M., O’Connor, C., & Moran, A. (2022). Exploring Irish students’ attitudes towards nootropic supplements. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy. (opens in a new window)https://doi.org/10.1080/09687637.2022.2091426
Das, J., Forlini, C., Porcello, D. M., Rommelfanger, K. S., Salles, A., Delegates, G. N. S., ... & Yin, J. (2022). Neuroscience is ready for neuroethics engagement. Frontiers in Communication, 7, 909964. (opens in a new window)https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2022.909964
O’Connor, C. (2019). Enhancing young brains in contemporary family life: Exploring the context and scope of paediatric neuro-enhancement. In S. Nagel (ed.),Shaping Children – Ethical and Social Questions That Arise When Enhancing the Young(pp. 105-121). Dordrecht: Springer.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-10677-5_8
O’Connor, C., & Nagel, S. K. (2017). Neuro-enhancement practices across the lifecourse: Exploring the roles of relationality and individualism. Frontiers in Sociology, 2, 1.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2017.00001
O’Connor, C., & Joffe, H. (2016). Making brain waves in society.The Psychologist, 29, 358-361.
O’Connor, C. (2016). Science in society: Neuroscience and lay understandings of self and identity. In J.R. Absher & J. Cloutier (eds.),Neuroimaging Personality, Social Cognition and Character: Traits and Mental States in the Brain(pp. 371-382). London: Elsevier.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-800935-2.00020-8
O’Connor, C., & Joffe, H. (2015). How the public engages with brain optimization: The media-mind relationship.Science, Technology, & Human Values, 40(5),712-743.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0162243915576374
O’Connor, C., & Joffe, H. (2014). Gender on the brain: A case study of science communication in the new media environment.PLoS ONE, 9, e110830.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0110830
O’Connor, C., & Joffe, H. (2014). Social representations of brain research: Exploring public (dis)engagement with contemporary neuroscience.Science Communication,36, 617-645.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1075547014549481
O’Connor, C., & Joffe, H. (2013). How has neuroscience affected lay understandings of personhood? A review of the evidence.Public Understanding of Science, 22(3), 254-268.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0963662513476812
O’Connor, C., & Joffe, H. (2013). Media representations of early human development: Protecting, feeding and loving the developing brain.Social Science & Medicine, 97, 297-306.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.09.048
O’Connor, C., Rees, G., & Joffe, H. (2012). Neuroscience in the public sphere.Neuron, 74(2), 220-226.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2012.04.004
Miscellaneous publications
MacGarry, D., Grogan, K., O'Connor, C., Gaffney, P., & Nearchou, F. (2022). The impact of patient suicidal behavior on the personal and professional well-being of mental health providers: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 29(2), 100–116. (opens in a new window)https://doi.org/10.1037/cps0000076
Dempster, M., O’Connell, N., Graham, C. D., O’Connor, C., Zgaga, L., Burke, E., ... & Darker, C. D. (2022). Non-adherence to COVID-19 containment behaviours: results from an all-Ireland telephone survey. BMC Public Health, 22(1), 1-8. (opens in a new window)https://doi.org.uk/10.1186/s12889-022-13322-6
O’Connor, C., O’Connell, N., Burke, E., Dempster, M., Graham, C. D., Scally, G., … & Darker, C. D. (2021). Bordering on crisis: A qualitative analysis of focus group, social media, and news media perspectives on the Republic of Ireland-Northern Ireland border during the ‘first wave’of the COVID-19 pandemic. Social Science & Medicine, 282, 114111.(opens in a new window)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114111
O’Connor, C., O’Connell, N., Burke, E., Nolan, A., Dempster, M., Graham, C. D., Nicolson, G., Barry, J., Scally, G., Crowley, P., Zgaga, L., Mather, L., & Darker, C. D. (2021). Media Representations of Science during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Analysis of News and Social Media on the Island of Ireland. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(18), 9542.(opens in a new window)https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18189542
Darker, C.D., O’Connell, N., Dempster, M., Graham, C.D, O’Connor, C., et al. (2020). Study protocol for the COvid-19 Toolbox for All IslaNd (CONTAIN) project: A cross-border analysis in Ireland to disentangle psychological, behavioural, media and governmental responses to COVID-19. HRB Open Research, 3,48.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.13105.1
O’Connor, C., & Joffe, H. (2020). Inter-coder reliability in qualitative health research: Debates and practical guidelines.International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 19, 1-13.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1609406919899220
Joffe, H., Rossetto, T., Bradley, C., & O’Connor, C. (2018). Stigma in science: The case of earthquake prediction.Disasters,42(1), 81-100.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/disa.12237
Kirrane, M., Breen, M., & O’Connor, C. (2018). A qualitative investigation of the origins of excessive work behaviour.Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology,91(2), 235-260.(opens in a new window)https://doi.org/10.1111/joop.12203
Kirrane, M., Breen, M., & O’Connor, C. (2017). A qualitative study on the consequences of intensive working. Human Resource Development Quarterly,28(2), 227–268. https://dx.doi.org(opens in a new window)/10.1002/hrdq.21284
Kirrane, M., O’Connor, C., Dunne, A.M., & Moriarty, P. (2017). Intragroup processes and teamwork within a successful chamber choir. Music Education Research,19(4), 357-370.(opens in a new window)http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14613808.2016.1166195
O’Connor, C. (2017). Embodiment and the construction of social knowledge: Towards an integration of embodiment and social representations theory. Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour, 42(1), 2-24.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jtsb.12110
Smith, N., O’Connor, C., & Joffe, H. (2015). Social representations of threatening phenomena: The role played by themata.Papers on Social Representations, 24(2), 1-23.
Joffe, H., Rossetto, T., Solberg, C., & O’Connor, C. (2013). Social representations of earthquakes: A study of people living in three highly seismic areas.Earthquake Spectra, 29(2), 367-397.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1193/1.4000138
Joffe, H., & O’Connor, C. (2013). Risk society and representations of risks: Earthquakes and beyond. In H. Joffe, T. Rossetto & J. Adams (eds.),Cities at Risk: Living with Perils in the 21st Century(pp. 9-23). Dordrecht: Springer.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6184-1_2
O’Connor, C. (2012). Using social representations theory to examine lay explanation of contemporary social crises: The case of Ireland’s recession.Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology,22(6), 453-469.(opens in a new window)https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/casp.1125