Staff Profiles

Research Grants

Brett, J., Watson, E., Aveyard, P., Wells, M., Nicholson, B., Foxcroft, D., Sinclair, L., Davies, E.L., De Silva-Minor, S., & Jakes., S. Cancer Research UK Tobacco Advisory Group (£44,582) Knowledge, attitudes and current practice of health professionals regarding the use of e-cigarettes and other smoking cessation interventions in cancer survivors, awarded January 2017.

Davies, E.L. Department of Psychology, Social Work & Public Health Research Award Scheme (£8750) Pilot study to explore teachers' views about digital alcohol interventions for use in Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education Awarded December 2016

Davies, E.L, Lonsdale, A. & Foxcroft, D.R. Oxford Brookes University Competitive Funding Call (£15,785) Alcohol related social embarrassment: A pilot trial to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of a novel intervention to reduce alcohol consumption in undergraduates, Awarded May 2015

Davies. E.L. Alcohol Research UK Small grant scheme (£4930) A digital media intervention tool to reduce alcohol misuse in adolescents: programming and pilot work, Awarded July 2014

Carter, W., Davies, E.L. & Paltoglou, A.E. Oxford Brookes Team Teaching Fellowship Award (£15,000) Vertical Enhancement of Statistics and Psychology Research, Awarded June 2014

Davies, E.L, Martin, J. & Foxcroft, D.R. Alcohol Research UK Studentship (£21,000) Designing and testing an intervention to reduce alcohol misuse in young people based on the Prototype Willingness Model, Awarded May 2010

PhD Students

Fiona Matley – 2018-present: Using automatic processes to change drinking behaviour in midlife adults – main supervisor

Parvati Perman Howe 2016-present: The effect of alcohol strength on alcohol consumption – second supervisor

Catherine Wheatley 2015-2018 Explaining Young Adolescents’ Physical Activity Decision-Making Using the Prototype Willingness Model of Health Behaviour – second supervisor  

Journal articles

• Paltoglou AE, Morys-Carter WL, Davies EL, 'From anxiety to confidence: Exploring the measurement of statistics confidence and its relationship with experience, knowledge, and competence within psychology undergraduate students'
  Psychology Learning and Teaching (2019)
  ISSN: 1475-7257 eISSN: 1475-7257
  Abstract

  Psychology students often feel anxious about learning statistics, which can impact their performance.  However, less research has explored statistics confidence, which may be an important way to reduce the negative connotations of associating statistics with anxiety.  We aimed to explore whether modifying an existing measure of statistics anxiety (the STARS scale) and reframing the questions so students rated their confidence instead, would be associated with competence, prior knowledge and experience. A total of 104 undergraduate students completed an online questionnaire comprising these measures.  The factor structure of the STARS scale was predominantly maintained when wording was changed to measure confidence instead of anxiety.  Confidence was related to experience and competence, but not knowledge.  Two aspects of confidence (interpretation of statistics, and exam confidence) plus initial experiences were significant predictors of competence. Confidence was a mediator of the relationship between experience and competence.  These findings suggest statistics confidence can be measured in a similar way to anxiety, and highlight areas that could be addressed to increase competence.  Future research is needed to explore the relationship between statistics anxiety and statistics confidence, as well as to determine their individual impact on performance in assessments. 
  

• Davies EL, Maier LJ, Winstock AR, Ferris JA, 'Intention to reduce drinking alcohol and preferred sources of support: an international cross-sectional study'
  Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment (2019)
  ISSN: 0740-5472 eISSN: 1873-6483
  Abstract

  Introduction. Drinking alcohol is legal in most countries of the world. Given the social acceptance of this behavior despite potential negative impact on health, help-seeking behavior could differ when compared to other drugs. This paper aimed to assess intentions to reduce drinking and the preferred sources of support among a large international sample of people who drink alcohol.  Materials and methods. The Global Drug Survey (GDS) is the world’s largest annual survey of drug use. This paper included data from 82,190 respondents from 12 countries on four continents who reported the use of alcohol in the last 12 months, collected during November 2016 - January 2017 (GDS2017). Results. Overall, 34.8% said they would like to drink less in the following 12 months and 7.6% said they would like help to drink less. Online tools were the preferred source of support to reduce drinking by respondents from Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, those with low AUDIT scores and without a mental health condition. Specialist counselling was most preferred by those from Germany, Switzerland, and Denmark and those with high AUDIT scores, not educated to degree level and with a mental health condition. Conclusion. Interest in online interventions for harmful drinking is significant and highest among people who drink at low risk. Online tools should offer brief screening and feedback, ensuring that people with high risk drinking patterns are referred to more specialist services. 
  

• Davies EL, 'Similarity to prototypical heavy drinkers and non-drinkers predicts AUDIT-C and risky drinking in young adults: prospective study'
  Psychology and Health (2018)
  ISSN: 0887-0446 eISSN: 1476-8321
  Abstract

  Objective. The aim of the present study was to explore whether constructs within the Prototype Willingness Model (PWM) predicted risky drinking as measured by AUDIT-C, drinking harms and unplanned drunkenness in a sample of UK young adults.  Previous studies exploring the PWM often do not use validated measures of alcohol consumption, and the outcomes of risky drinking are underexplored. Design. An online prospective study design with four week follow up was employed and 385 young adults completed the study (M age = 21.76, SD = 3.39, 69.6% female; 85.2% students). Main outcome measures. Intentions to get drunk, AUDIT-C, drinking harms experienced in the last four weeks, and unplanned drunkenness in the last four weeks. Results.  Heavy and non-drinker prototype similarity predicted AUDIT-C, drinking harms and unplanned drunkenness when controlling for past behaviour and reasoned action pathway constructs.  Intentions and willingness both mediated the relationship between prototype perceptions and AUDIT-C. Conclusion. This study supports the use of the PWM in the prediction of AUDIT-C, drinking harms and unplanned drinking in a UK sample.  Prototype perceptions influenced behaviour via both reasoned and reactive cognitions. Targeting similarity to heavy and non-drinker prototypes should be the focus of future interventions in this population.

• Davies EL, Paltoglou AE, 'Public self-consciousness, pre-loading and drinking harms among university students'
  Substance Use and Misuse (2018)
  ISSN: 1082-6084 eISSN: 1532-2491
  Abstract

  Background. Social anxiety and self-consciousness are associated with alcohol-related problems in students. The practice of pre-loading is one avenue for exploration regarding this relationship.  Individuals may pre-load to reduce social anxiety and feel more confident when socialising, which could lead to the increased harms experienced. The current study aimed to explore reasons for pre-loading, and whether public and private self-consciousness and social anxiety were related to pre-loading, increased drinking and harms. Method. Prospective study with four-week follow up of 325 UK students aged 18-30 years old. Participants completed measures of private and public self-consciousness, social anxiety, alcohol consumption, alcohol-related harms and pre-loading. Results. Financial motives and mood-related reasons, such as gaining confidence were reported as reasons for pre-loading. Pre-loading predicted hazardous alcohol consumption, but social anxiety, and public and private self-consciousness did not.  However, pre-loading, public self-consciousness and social anxiety predicted alcohol-related harms.  Furthermore, public self-consciousness mediated the relationship between pre-loading and harms in a positive direction and this appeared to be more relevant in high risk (AUDIT 8+) than low risk drinkers. Conclusion. Students who scored higher in public self-consciousness appeared to be at greater risk of harms from pre-loading.  Further research should examine this relationship further with particular attention to high risk drinkers, and explore which aspects of a night out are related to heightened self-consciousness. Interventions could incorporate measures to reduce public self-consciousness, in order to reduce the negative impacts of pre-loading.

• Perman-Howe PR, Davies EL, Foxcroft DR, 'The effect of alcohol strength on alcohol consumption: a randomised controlled cross-over pilot trial'
  Pilot and Feasibility Studies 4 (2018)
  ISSN: 2055-5784
  Abstract
  Background: Effective interventions are required to reduce alcohol consumption and its associated harms at the population level. Reducing the alcohol content of beverages has the potential to reduce alcohol consumption through non-conscious processes. Before implementing a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to assess the effect of alcohol strength on alcohol consumption its feasibility needs to established. This study aims to pilot a RCT and obtain data to estimate key parameters required when designing a RCT. These key parameters include the direction and size of the intervention effect, the efficacy and efficiency of the study processes, and the rates of licensed premises recruitment, participant recruitment and attrition. 
  Methods: A double blind randomised controlled cross-over pilot trial comparing the number of units of reduced strength lager consumed and the number of units of regular strength lager consumed in a single drinking occasion within licensed premises in the UK. Descriptive statistics will report the efficacy and efficiency of the study processes, and the rates of licensed premises recruitment, participant recruitment and attrition. Mean and 95% confidence intervals will be used to compare the consumption of alcohol, and the duration of participation in study sessions, between the intervention arm and the control arm. The mean and standard deviation of UK units of alcohol consumed will be used to calculate a sample size for a definitive RCT. 
  Discussion: This is the first naturalistic experimental study to assess the effect of alcohol strength on alcohol consumption in a single drinking occasion within licensed premises. Results from this pilot study will establish the feasibility of, and inform key data parameters for, a larger-scale study. 
  Website 
• Camp SJ, Sherlock-Smith AC, Davies EL, 'Awareness and support: students’ views about the prevention of sexual assault on UK campuses'
  Health Education 118 (5) (2018) pp.431-446
  ISSN: 0965-4283 eISSN: 1758-714X
  Abstract
  Purpose: Sexual assault is prevalent on UK University campuses, and prevention efforts are being increased. However, at present there is limited evidence about UK students’ attitudes towards sexual assault prevention and what they think should be done to effectively address the issue. The purpose of this study was to explore these views to provide a foundation for the development of a new intervention.
  Methods: A cross sectional anonymous online survey was completed by 515 students (73% women; M age 21.56; 79% heterosexual; 82.9% White). There were quantitative questions about experiences of sexual assault, attitudes towards sexual consent and victim blaming. Qualitative data was collected regarding participants’ views on what universities should do to target sexual assault.
  Findings: In line with previous studies, we found evidence of commonplace and normalised sexual assault behaviours. Women had more positive attitudes towards explicit consent than men, and were less likely to blame victims of sexual assault who had been drinking. Consent behaviour was predicted by positive views towards consent and lower levels of blaming. Themes relating to ‘awareness’, ‘attitudes’, ‘environment’ and ‘opposition’ were identified in the qualitative data.
  Practical implications: Findings highlight the importance of engaging with students to develop effective prevention measures. Students are likely to find university led prevention strategies acceptable, but this topic needs to be addressed in the context of the prevailing culture, which may provide an environment where certain behaviours are tolerated. New prevention programmes need to treat the issue as one that is relevant to all students and not just target men as perpetrators and women as victims. Such strategies need to do more than treat this as an isolated issue, to which the solution is re-education about the meaning of consent.
  Website 
• Davies EL, Joshi MS, '"Here’s to a night of drunken mistakes": Exploring experiences, regrets and optimism in young adult drinkers'
  Substance Use and Misuse 53 (13) (2018) pp.2174-2183
  ISSN: 1082-6084 eISSN: 1532-2491
  Abstract Background: Studies exploring ‘anticipated regret’ concerning alcohol rarely consider the broader consequences of excessive drinking that might be regretted.  Even if specific regrettable experiences are identified, interventions targeting them may not succeed because individuals are often optimistic about their risk susceptibility. Objectives:  This study examined the consequences young adult drinkers reported, and the extent to which these were regretted. It then explored whether consequences and regrets differentiated between high risk, low risk and light drinkers, and whether regret was related to optimism. Methods:  A cross-sectional on-line questionnaire measured drinking behaviour, consequences (frequency) and regrets (extent of likely regret) and risk perceptions (in general, and compared to others). Results: 273 participants were recruited (light (30%), low-risk (40%), and high-risk drinkers (30%). PCA detected three types of experience (common – e.g. vomiting; after-effects – e.g. being depressed; and ‘serious’ – e.g. drunk-driving), and three types of regret (‘serious’ – e.g. being aggressive; ‘common’ – e.g. wasting time; and ‘risky behaviour regrets’ – e.g. drugs).  Multinomial regression found the high-risk drink group more likely to be male, had more experiences but regretted these experiences less than other groups.  Regrets and optimism interacted, so that higher scores on common regrets were associated with greater optimism. The high-risk group was particularly characterised by optimism.
  Conclusions: High-risk drinkers may be unresponsive to anticipated regret manipulations as they do not regret post-alcohol ‘bad’ experiences, and some regrets were associated with comparative optimism.  Interventions may need to focus less on regret and aim to change risk perceptions. Website 
• Perman-Howe P, Davies EL, Foxcroft D, 'The Classification and Organisation of Alcohol Misuse Prevention with a Focus on Environmental Prevention'
  Current Addiction Reports 5 (1) (2018) pp.87-92
  ISSN: 2196-2952 eISSN: 2196-2952
  Abstract Purpose of Review. Classifying prevention as universal, selective or indicated only considers the form of interventions. This is limited as it fails to explain the function, or purpose, of interventions. This paper discusses a taxonomy for alcohol misuse prevention that considers both the form and function of prevention interventions. It adds to the previous literature by incorporating subcategories of classification for environmental prevention. Recent Findings. Within each taxonomy category there are interventions which are more, and less effective, but not one single category has comprehensive evidence of efficacy. Environmental prevention may have the greatest potential to deliver interventions that are efficient, cost effective and reduce health inequalities. However, comprehensive, systems oriented, prevention coverage should combine all three functional approaches. Summary. This taxonomy can be used to organise and classify alcohol misuse prevention interventions and to determine where alcohol misuse prevention strategies and research is warranted. Furthermore, it can help practitioners and researchers to consider the subcategories of environmental prevention: an area that is rapidly gaining traction in the prevention field.Website 
• Davies EL, Lewis E-B C, Hennelly SE, '"I am quite mellow but I wouldn't say everyone else is”: how UK students compare their drinking behaviour to their peers’'
  Substance Use and Misuse 53 (9) (2018) pp.1549-1557
  ISSN: 1082-6084 eISSN: 1532-2491
  Abstract Background:  Excessive drinking is commonplace at UK Universities.  Individuals may misperceive how much they drink compared to others and are less likely to think that they will suffer adverse consequences.  Young people often distance themselves and their friends from ‘problem drinkers’. Objectives:  The aim of the study was to explore how student drinkers compared their own drinking behaviours to the drinking behaviours of others.
  Methods:  An online survey was completed by 416 students aged 18-30 (68.5% female). They were asked ‘how do you think your drinking compares with other people like you?’ and ‘how do you think your behaviour when you drink compares with other people like you?’ Answers were subjected to thematic analysis. Results: The first main theme was about ‘identification as a ‘good’ drinker’.  Participants suggested their own behaviour when drinking was similar to their sober behaviour.  Further, they viewed themselves as more able to maintain a balance between staying in control and having fun while drinking.   The second main theme was about ‘distancing from being a ‘bad’ drinker.  Participants distanced themselves from negative prototypical drinkers, such compulsive or anti-social drinkers.  They also attributed their own drinking behaviours to situational factors, but described other people as intentionally violent or aggressive.
  Conclusions/Importance: These findings may explain the failure of some health messages to change drinking behaviours.  If drinkers perceive that their behaviour when they drink is better than other people’s then they may discount intervention messages. Targeting these biases could be incorporated into future interventions.
  Website 
• Wheatley CM, Davies EL, Dawes H, 'Unspoken playground rules discourage adolescent physical activity in school: A focus group study of constructs in the Prototype Willingness Model'
  Qualitative Health Research 28 (4) (2018) pp.624-632
  ISSN: 1049-7323
  Abstract The health benefits of exercise in school are recognised, yet physical activity continues to decline during early adolescence despite numerous interventions.  In this study we investigated whether the Prototype Willingness Model, an account of adolescent decision-making that includes both reasoned behavioural choices and unplanned responses to social environments, might improve understanding of physical activity in school.  We conducted focus groups with British pupils aged 12-13 and used deductive thematic analysis to search for themes relating to the model.  Participants described reasoned decisions about physical activity outside school and unplanned choices to be inactive during break, in response to social contexts described as more ‘judgmental’ than in primary school.  Social contexts appeared characterised by anxiety about competence, negative peer evaluation and inactive playground norms.  The Prototype Willingness Model might more fully explain physical activity in school than reasoned behavioural models alone, indicating potential for interventions targeting anxieties about playground social environments. Website 
• Davies EL, Law C, Hennelly SE, '"You have to be prepared to drink" : students’ views about reducing excessive alcohol consumption at university'
  Health Education 118 (1) (2017) pp.2-16
  ISSN: 0965-4283
  Abstract Purpose: Many existing interventions to reduce excessive drinking in University students attempt to target individual cognitions, which ignore the wider contextual features that drive excessive drinking and mark it as an important aspect of university life.  The overall aim of this study was to explore students’ views about preventing excessive drinking at university, specifically by using frameworks that take into both account individual and social influences.
  Methods: Twenty-three young adults aged 20-30 (12 females; M age = 22.91; SD = 2.57; 18 students, 5 recent graduates) took part in semi-structured interviews to explore their views about drinking and measures to reduce excessive consumption.  Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.
  Findings: There were three themes identified in the analysis.  These themes were named ‘the role of alcohol in student life’, drinking transitions’, and ‘prevention challenges’ and each had related sub-themes.
  Practical implications: Targeting students before they commence their course and highlighting aspects of university life that do not involve alcohol may help to reduce the pressure often felt to drink in social situations.  Providing novel, credible alternative socialising options that do not involve alcohol should be explored to determine their acceptability, and their potential to reduce excessive drinking.
  Originality/value: Few studies explore what students themselves think about reducing alcohol consumption, and most interventions focus on changing individual cognitions rather than features of the social environment. This study highlights that changing social practices related to drinking in combination with targeting individuals may be more fruitful approach to reduce excessive alcohol consumption. Website 
• Davies EL, Law C, Hennelly SE, Winstock AR, 'Acceptability of targeting social embarrassment in a digital intervention to reduce student alcohol consumption: A qualitative think aloud study.'
  Digital Health 3 (2017)
  ISSN: 2055-2076 eISSN: 2055-2076
  Abstract Objective: Increasing knowledge about alcohol related harms, changing social norms, or encouraging drinking within safe unit levels often fails to change behaviour in young people.   A novel intervention called ‘OneTooMany’ was developed which targets the short term social, and potentially, embarrassing consequences of drinking alcohol.   The aim of this paper was to explore its acceptability, and to determine any features that might influence its effectiveness as a means of reducing alcohol consumption.  
  Methods: Participants were 23 young adults (aged 18-30) currently studying at university (N=18) or in the first six months following graduation (N=5). A think aloud interview approach was employed. Three main themes were identified in a deductive thematic analysis.
  Results: Embarrassing experiences were a normalised part of drinking occasions, while some were actively avoided, others were celebrated. Humour served as a device to engage and interest participants, but could also diminish intervention messages.  OneTooMany prompted reflections on many regrettable drinking experiences, but the participants did not see themselves as the target audience for this intervention.
  Conclusions: Interventions may benefit from focussing on some of the short term, embarrassing consequences of excessive alcohol consumption. Further research is needed to ensure that reflections on past behaviour are helpful in addressing future behaviour.Website 
• Davies EL, Lonsdale A, Hennelly S, Winstock A, Foxcroft D, 'Personalized digital interventions showed no impact on risky drinking in young adults: a pilot randomised controlled trial'
  Alcohol and Alcoholism (2017)
  ISSN: 0735-0414
  Website 
• Matley F, Davies EL, 'Resisting temptation: Alcohol specific self-efficacy mediates the impacts of compensatory health beliefs and behaviours on alcohol consumption'
  Psychology, Health and Medicine 23 (3) (2017) pp.259-269
  ISSN: 1354-8506
  Abstract Awareness of health risks linked with excessive alcohol consumption appears to have little influence on how much some people drink. Compensatory health beliefs (CHBs), in which the consequences of unhealthy behaviour are considered to be neutralised by additional healthy behaviours, are one way of justifying poor health choices. Currently, the role of CHBs within the context of drinking behaviour is not well understood. This research examined associations between alcohol specific compensatory health beliefs (ACH-Beliefs) and behaviours (ACH-Behaviours), alcohol consumption and alcohol specific self-efficacy (ASE), via an online survey completed by 249 participants, aged 18 + years (63.1% female; M age = 41.62 years; SD = 14.80). Higher ACH-Beliefs were associated with increases in ACH-Behaviours. While both predicted alcohol consumption, a greater proportion of variance was explained by ACH-Behaviours. ASE was a significant mediator of those relationships, suggesting that those with higher ASE may be better equipped to regulate drinking behaviour. Recommendations for future research include measuring both CHBs and behaviours within an experimental design, and further investigation of related cognitions such as compensatory behaviour intentions. Alcohol misuse interventions may wish to consider the potential roles of CHBs and behaviours in facilitating maladaptive coping strategies, and how addressing these may reduce harms.Website 
• Davies EL, Conroy D, Winstock AR, Ferris J, 'Motivations for reducing alcohol consumption: An international survey exploring experiences that may lead to a change in drinking habits'
  Addictive Behaviors 75 (2017) pp.40-46
  ISSN: 0306-4603
  Abstract
  Aims. Brief interventions delivered by doctors and other healthcare practitioners might be meaningfully enhanced by understanding what individual experiences might lead patients to cut down. The aim of the current paper was to explore the experiences that might lead people to reduce their alcohol consumption and to compare these findings between respondents from 21 different countries.
  Methods. Global Drug Survey is an online cross sectional, opportunistic anonymous survey. This paper includes 72,209 respondents from 21 counties with over 250 respondents (60.8% male).
  Results. Almost a third (32.9%) of participants reported that they would like to drink less alcohol over the next 12 months, and a third thought their GP would tell them to cut down if they were honest about their drinking. The primary experiences that were rated as most likely to lead to a change in behaviour were related to physical health, sexual assault and having to seek emergency medical treatment. Respondents from Germany were more likely to select embarrassment as a motivation to reduce drinking than those from other counties. Females were more likely to report indicate motivations related to sexual regret, sexual assault or seeking treatment. Older participants and those in the low risk audit category were more likely to report embarrassment or forgetfulness as potential motivation for change.
  Conclusion. Understanding the different motivations that may lead individuals to change their drinking behaviours can be used to inform targeted brief interventions and targeted public health guidance.
  Website 
• Davies EL, Jolley D, Coiffait F-M, 'Reflection and connection: UK Psychologists’ views and experiences of blogging'
  E-Learning and Digital Media (2017)
  ISSN: 2042-7530 eISSN: 2042-7530
  Abstract The value of using social media is being increasingly recognised among the academic community.  Blogging has been identified by some researchers as a means of reaching a non-academic audience and in order to increase research citations.  However, there is little research exploring this method of communication within specific disciplines.  This study, therefore, explored UK psychologists’ views and experiences of blogging using an online survey, of both blog writers and non-blog writers. In addition, the study sought to determine whether those who identified as blog writers when they completed the survey, and who consented to a content analysis of their posts, were still posting regularly 12 months later. The majority of the blog writers said that they wrote blogs as a means of expressing themselves and their research.  Content analysis reflected the survey findings, with research as the most common category for posts, but we identified that the intended audience for such posts appeared to be other academics.  Interestingly, 37% of blog writers had stopped regularly posting at the point where posts were analysed, 12 months after the survey.   Moreover, despite positive attitudes and subjective norms about blogging across the sample, we also identified that for respondents who were non-blog writers were reluctant to blog because they worried that their contribution may not be valued, or that they did not have the time.  These findings highlight that there is work to do in order to convince psychologists to engage – and to continue doing so - with this medium of communication. Website 
• Davies EL, Paltoglou AE, Foxcroft DR, 'Implicit alcohol attitudes predict drinking behavior over and above intentions and willingness in young adults but willingness is more important in adolescents: implications for the Prototype Willingness Model.'
  British Journal of Health Psychology 22 (2) (2017)
  ISSN: 1359-107X eISSN: 2044-8287
  Abstract Objectives: Dual process models, such as the Prototype Willingness Model (PWM), propose to account for both intentional and reactive drinking behaviour.  Current methods of measuring constructs in the PWM rely on self-report, thus require a level of conscious deliberation.  Implicit measures of attitudes may overcome this limitation and contribute to our understanding of how prototypes and willingness influence alcohol consumption in young people.  This study aimed to explore whether implicit alcohol attitudes were related to PWM constructs and if they would add to the prediction of risky drinking. 
  
  Design: The study involved a cross-sectional design. The sample included 501 participants from the United Kingdom (Mean age 18.92; range 11-51; 63% female); 230 school pupils and 271 university students.
   
  Methods: Participants completed explicit measures of alcohol prototype perceptions, willingness, drunkenness, harms, and intentions.  They also completed an implicit measure of alcohol attitudes, using the Implicit Association Test.
   
  Results: Implicit alcohol attitudes were only weakly related to the explicit measures. When looking at the whole sample, implicit alcohol attitudes did not add to the prediction of willingness over and above prototype perceptions. However, for university students implicit attitudes added to the prediction of behaviour, over and above intentions and willingness.  For school pupils, willingness was a stronger predictor of behaviour than intentions or implicit attitudes. 
  
  Conclusions: Adding implicit measures to the PWM may contribute to our understanding of the development of alcohol behaviours in young people.  Further research could explore how implicit attitudes develop alongside the shift from reactive to planned behaviour.  
   
  Website 
• Davies EL, '"The monster of the month": teachers’ views about alcohol within personal, social and health education (PSHE) in schools'
  Drugs and Alcohol Today 16 (4) (2016) pp.279-288
  ISSN: 1745-9265
  Abstract Purpose:  There is a lack of evidence for effective school based prevention programmes to reduce alcohol misuse in adolescents.  This study sought to explore teacher’s views about alcohol education in secondary schools in order to inform the subsequent development of new educational and intervention measures.
  
  
  Methodology: Semi structured interviews were conducted with nine female teachers from a range of schools who had responsibility for designing and delivering Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE).
   
  Findings: Three main themes were identified in a thematic analysis of the interview transcripts.  The themes demonstrated the importance of PSHE to these teachers, who faced challenges in delivering a comprehensive enough curriculum.  Alcohol unit knowledge and responsible drinking were priorities for the teachers.  However, given the many pressures faced by young people, alcohol could be viewed as just one challenge amongst many.  
  Research Implications: Interventions may be seen as too compartmentalised by teachers if they fail to address the wider concerns of adolescents.  Intervention developers should consider gaining input from teachers on the content of their programmes prior to running a trial to enhance feasibility and acceptability.
  
  Originality/Value: There are few studies that have explored what teachers think about alcohol education in general or about the content of specific interventions prior to their implementation.
  
  This study adds their voice to the literature, and highlights the importance of considering the views and first hand experiences when developing new alcohol interventions aimed at adolescents.
   
  Website 
• Foxcroft D, Callen H, Davies EL, Okulicz-Kozaryn K, 'Effectiveness of the Strengthening Families Programme 10–14 in Poland: cluster randomized controlled trial'
  European Journal of Public Health (2016)
  ISSN: 1101-1262 eISSN: 1464-360X
  Abstract Background: The Strengthening Families Programme for youth aged 10-14 and parents/carers (SFP10-14) is a family-based prevention intervention with positive results in trials in the United States. We assessed the effectiveness of SFP10-14 for preventing substance misuse in Poland.
  
  
  Methods: Cluster randomized controlled trial with 20 communities (511 families; 614 young people) were allocated to SFP10-14 or a control arms. Primary outcomes were alcohol, smoking and other drug use. Secondary outcomes included parenting practices, parent–child relations, and child problem behaviour. Interview-based questionnaires were administered at baseline and at 12- and 24-months post-baseline, with respective 70.4% and 54.4% follow-up rates.
   
  Results: In Bayesian regression models with complete case data we found no effects of SFP10-14 for any of the primary or secondary outcomes at either follow-up. For example at 24-months, posterior odds ratios and 95% credible intervals for past year alcohol use, past month binge drinking, past year smoking, and past year other drug use, were 0.83 (0.44-1.56), 0.83 (0.27-2.65), 1.94 (0.76-5.38), and 0.74 (0.15-3.58), respectively. Although moderate to high attrition rates, together with some evidence of systematic attrition bias according to parent education and family disposable income, could have biased the results, the results were supported in further analyses with propensity score matched data and 40 multiple imputed datasets.
   
  Conclusion: We found no evidence for the effectiveness of SFP10-14 on the prevention of alcohol or tobacco use, parenting behaviour, parent-child relations or 4 child problem behaviour at 12- or 24-month follow-up in a large cluster randomised controlled trial in Poland. 
  Website 
• Kennedy S, Davies EL, Ryan L, Clegg ME, 'Applying an extended Theory of Planned Behaviour to predict breakfast consumption in adolescents'
  European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2016)
  ISSN: 0954-3007
  Abstract Background/Objectives: Breakfast skipping increases during adolescence and is associated with lower levels of physical activity and weight gain. Theory-based interventions promoting breakfast consumption in adolescents report mixed findings, potentially due to limited research identifying which determinants to target. This study aimed to: (i) utilise the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to identify the relative contribution of attitudes (affective, cognitive and behavioural) to predict intention to eat breakfast and breakfast consumption in adolescents; (ii) determine whether demographic factors moderates the relationship between TPB variables, intention and behaviour.
  
  Subjects/Methods: Questionnaires were completed by 434 students (mean 14 ± 0.9 years) measuring breakfast consumption (0-2, 3-6 or 7 days), physical activity levels and TPB measures. Data were analysed by breakfast frequency and demographics using hierarchical and multinomial regression analyses. 
   
  Results: Breakfast was consumed every day by 57% of students with boys more likely to eat a regular breakfast, report higher activity levels and more positive attitudes towards breakfast than girls (p<.001). The TPB predicted 58% of the variation in intentions. Overall, the model was predictive of breakfast behaviours (p<.001), but the relative contribution of TPB constructs varied depending on breakfast frequency. Interactions between gender and intentions were significant when comparing 0-2 and 3-6 day breakfast eaters only highlighting a stronger intention-behaviour relationship for girls. 
   
  Conclusions: Findings confirm that the TPB is a successful model for predicting breakfast intentions and behaviours in adolescents. The potential for a direct effect of attitudes on behaviours should be considered in the implementation and design of breakfast interventions. 
   
  Website 
• Davies EL, 'Feasibility of the Prototype Willingness Model as the basis for school-delivered alcohol misuse prevention: A qualitative think aloud study to explore acceptability of ‘The Alcohol Smart Quiz’ with adolescents and teachers.'
  Journal of Health Psychology 23 (9) (2016) pp.1196-1210
  ISSN: 1359-1053
  Abstract This study sought feedback from teachers and adolescents on a novel intervention to reduce alcohol misuse based on the Prototype Willingness Model.  A qualitative, think aloud interview study was conducted with 17 adolescents aged 11-14 and nine teachers. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.
  
  Adolescents found the content of the intervention appealing and credible.  Teachers welcomed the content and format of as a means of generating discussion.  ‘Moderate’ drinking appeared to be an acceptable message, although difficult to define.  Enacting ‘if-then’ plans in real social situations might be challenging and representations of drinking on social media should be considered.
  Website 
• Davies EL, Martin J, Foxcroft D, 'Development of an adolescent alcohol misuse intervention based on the Prototype Willingness Model: A Delphi study'
  Health Education 116 (3) (2016) pp.275-291
  ISSN: 0965-4283 eISSN: 1758-714X
  Abstract

  Purpose of the paper: The purpose of this paper is to report on the use of the Delphi method to gain expert feedback on the identification of behaviour change techniques (BCTs) and development of a novel intervention to reduce adolescent alcohol misuse, based on the Prototype Willingness Model (PWM) of health risk behaviour.

  Methodology:  Four BCTs based on the PWM were identified and incorporated into a draft intervention that aimed to change alcohol prototypes and enable adolescents to deal with social pressure.  Using the Delphi process, successive questionnaires were distributed to 20 international experts to build consensus on the theoretical validity of the intervention.

  Findings: Fifteen experts completed round one and eleven completed round two of the Delphi study.  A high level of consensus was achieved.   Four priority areas were identified to improve the intervention: 1) incorporating extra techniques to address social pressure, 2) increasing intensity, 3) providing incentives, and 4) addressing credibility.

  Limitations:  The sample of experts was self-selected and four participants were lost between the first and second round of the study.

  Implications: The effectiveness of the identified BCTs will be evaluated within an intervention to reduce alcohol misuse in adolescents.  Further work should build towards a more unified approach to developing interventions based on the PWM.  The Delphi method is likely to be particularly useful when there is no existing consensus about which BCTs to use that reflect certain theoretical constructs or that best target a specific population or behaviour.

  Originality/ value: This paper is the first to address the identification of specific BCTs based on the PWM and thus makes an important contribution to the application of this model to interventions.  This novel application of the Delphi method also makes a useful addition to the growing field of intervention development and design.   

  Website 
• Jolley D, Coiffait F, Davies EL, 'Welcome to ‘blogademia’'
  Psychologist -Leicester- 29 (4) (2016) pp.284-287
  ISSN: 0952-8229
  Abstract

  The British Psychological Society’s Public Engagement and Media Award in 2015 went to Mindhacks, a blog led by psychologists Dr Vaughan Bell and Dr Tom Stafford that has featured over 5000 posts across the past decade. Example posts include descriptions of visual illusions, a self-test for synaesthesia, and tips on the best way to win an argument. Accepting the award at the Society’s Annual Conference, the pair urged: ‘Each one of you has probably got those 5000 posts inside you. Make use of the resources on the internet, but put your own thoughts online too.’ We share their passion for ‘blogademia’ (a term coined by Saper, 2006), and here we aim to reflect on its purpose, positives and pitfalls, moving on to some general tips and guidance on blogging specifically for psychologists.

  Website 
• Davies EL, Martin J, Foxcroft D, 'Age differences in alcohol prototype perceptions and willingness to drink in UK adolescents'
  Psychology, Health and Medicine 21 (3) (2015) pp.317-329
  ISSN: 1354-8506
  Abstract

  Using the Prototype Willingness Model (PWM) as a framework, this study sought to explore the relationship between prototype perceptions, willingness and alcohol consumption in a sample of adolescents in the United Kingdom.  Adolescents aged 11-17 were asked about their alcohol prototype perceptions, willingness to drink, intentions, alcohol consumption, drunkenness and harms using a cross sectional online survey.  Participants were recruited through opportunity sampling via schools and parents.  The survey was completed by 178 respondents (51% female; 91 aged 11-15, 87 aged 16-17).  Multivariate analysis revealed significant differences between participants aged 11-15 and 16-17 on PWM measures, even when experience with drinking was accounted for (p<.001).  There were significant interactions (p<.001) between age and prototype perceptions; younger participants rated non-drinker prototypes as more favourable and more similar to the self than 16-17 year old participants.  Willingness and intentions interacted with age; both measures were similar in 16-17 year olds, whereas younger participants scored significantly higher on willingness than intentions (p<.001).  Three distinct scales of prototype descriptions were identified in principal components analysis.  Characteristics related to sociability significantly predicted willingness to drink alcohol in the sample (p<.001).  This study extends previous research by demonstrating that the PWM can provide a theoretical explanation of adolescent drinking in the UK.  The results suggest that 11-15 year olds may the most suitable age group for an intervention that targets alcohol prototypes, with a focus on characteristics related to sociability.

   

  Website 
• Davies EL, Martin J, Foxcroft DR, 'Development and acceptability of a co-produced online intervention to prevent alcohol misuse in adolescents: A think aloud study'
  JMIR Human Factors 2 (2) (2015)
  ISSN: 2292-9495
  Abstract

  Background: The Prototype Willingness Model (PWM) may offer an appropriate basis for explaining and preventing adolescent alcohol misuse.  An intervention was developed using a co-production approach, and consisted of an online quiz featuring 10 questions linked to PWM.

  Objectives: This study sought to determine the acceptability and relevance of the intervention content to young people, in order to incorporate their feedback into a final version.

  Methods: A qualitative think aloud study with follow up semi-structured interviews was undertaken with 16 young people aged 11-15 (50% female), Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.

  Results: Three main themes relating the acceptability of the intervention were identified; ‘challenging expectations of alcohol education’; ‘motivations for drinking or not drinking’ and ‘the inevitability of drinking’.  Participants found the intervention appealing because it was counter to their expectations.  The content appeared to reflect their experiences of social pressure and drinking encounters.  There was evidence that a focus on drinker/non-drinker prototypes was too narrow and that because adolescents perceived drinking as inevitable, it would be challenging to enact any plans to resist pressure to drink. 

  Conclusions: An online intervention based on the PWM has the potential to engage and interest adolescents.  A wide range of alcohol prototypes should be targeted and a focus on short term harms should ensure that the intervention is credible to young people.  

  Website 
• Morys-Carter WL, Paltoglou AE, Davies EL, 'Vertical enhancement of second-year psychology research'
  Psychology Teaching Review 21 (1) (2015) pp.68-72
  ISSN: 0965-948X
  Abstract
  Statistics and Research Methods modules are often unpopular with psychology students; however, at Oxford Brookes University the seminar component of the second-year research methods module tends to get very positive feedback. Over half of the seminars work towards the submission of a research-based experimental lab report. This article introduces and reflects on some of the recent changes made to improve this coursework by increasing the similarities with staff research; specifically targeting the areas of supervision, ethical review, peer review and dissemination. These developments are aligned with the teaching fellowship project, Vertical Enhancement of Statistics and Psychology Research, and aim to encourage second-year students to treat their group experiments as part of the department’s research activity, rather than simply as pieces of coursework. Enhancing this research-based aspect of the student experience teaching will hopefully, in turn, lead to higher quality third-year dissertations by increasing student enthusiasm for academic research. 
• Davies EL, Morys-Carter WL, Paltoglou AE, 'Helping students to climb the mountain: A study to inform the development of a resource to improve the learning of statistics in psychology'
  Psychology Teaching Review 21 (1) (2015) pp.56-67
  ISSN: 0965-948X
  Abstract

  Students often struggle with learning about statistics, which encompass a large proportion of a psychology degree.  This pilot study explored how first- and final-year students reflected on their experiences of being taught this topic, in order to identify needs that could be addressed in a project to improve their learning. 

  First-year students reported that they initially found their module challenging but that it became easier towards the end.  Third year students recognised the importance of the topic but were not confident in their abilities.  Most students reported anxiety about statistics.  Although students were positive about practical classes, many felt that they could not easily remember the materials.   The findings suggested three areas of focus to improve student learning.  Firstly, diverse needs and levels of ability should be catered for.  Secondly, students need help to go beyond surface learning and button clicking.  Finally, low levels of engagement should be addressed.

  This work has informed a project to develop an online resource to address the above identified needs to enhance teaching of this important topic. 

  Website 
• Davies EL, Jackson EJ, 'Some students really want to know obscure facts about chi-square but others will pass out in terror if you mention it’: Psychology postgraduates’ experiences of teaching research methods'
  Psychology Teaching Review 20 (1) (2014) pp.13-22
  ISSN: 0965-948X
  Abstract

  Gaining teaching experience is an important aspect of being a psychology postgraduate.  We undertook an online survey of 140 postgraduates from 50 UK institutions to explore their experiences of teaching with a focus on research methods in order to inform training and workshop provision. Of the sample, 91% we involved in some type of teaching; the most commonly reported activity was marking.  Participants reported a high level of enjoyment of teaching and thought it was an important part of their future careers.  Written responses were received from 85 respondents about their experiences of teaching research methods.  Qualitative analysis of these findings allowed us to identify the positive aspects of this experience, such as finding it rewarding to help students with this important area of their learning.  Our findings also identified challenges in teaching research methods such as confidence, student disengagement and lack of control over content taught.   The findings are discussed in light of their implications for future training provision for postgraduates who teach.

• Davies EL, Martin J, Foxcroft DR, 'Young People Talking About Alcohol: Focus Groups Exploring Constructs in the Prototype Willingness Model'
  Drugs-education Prevention and Policy 20 (2013) pp.269-277
  ISSN: 0968-7637 eISSN: 1465-3370
  Abstract

  Aim: This study aimed to explore constructs in the prototype willingness model (PWM) to establish if it provides a basis for understanding and preventing alcohol misuse in teenagers in the UK.

  Methods: Four focus groups were carried out with 11–13 and 16–17 year olds. There were 13 males and 14 females. Transcripts of the focus groups were analysed using thematic analysis in NVivo.

  Findings: Three PWM relevant themes were identified. The first theme brought together the alcohol prototypes described by participants. The second theme addressed drinking contexts and contrasts evidence that suggests that some drinking is planned and some is unplanned. The final theme looks at attitudes and norms including participants’ attitudes towards alcohol education.

  Conclusions: The findings from this study show that young people in this sample held clear prototypes in relation to alcohol. The evident difference between ‘planned’ and ‘unplanned’ drinking contexts suggests that the PWM provides a more satisfactory explanation of young people's drinking than a decisional model based on intentions alone. Drinking alcohol was reported by the participants as a normative teenage behaviour. Implications for an intervention programme targeting alcohol prototypes and future research are discussed.

   

  Website 

Conference papers

• Brett J, Matley F, Aveyard P, Davies E, Foxcroft D, Wells M, Nicholson B, Sinclair L, De Silva Minor S, Jake S, Watson E, 'E-cigarettes as a Smoking Cessation aid in Cancer Patients: Health Professionals knowledge, attitude and current practice.'
  (2018)
  Abstract

  Background. The adverse effects of smoking continue after a diagnosis of cancer, increasing risk of treatment-related complications, recurrence, development of second primary cancer, and mortality. E-cigarettes have become increasingly popular, and there is growing evidence of a significant reduction in harm compared to tobacco smoking, providing an alternative approach for smoking cessation in cancer patients.  However, while Public Health England and the Royal College of Physicians support the use of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation, their use remains controversial. Method. This study was a national online survey to investigate UK health professionals’ knowledge, attitudes, and current practice of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation intervention in cancer patients. 506 health professionals (HPs) completed the survey including GPs (n=103), oncologists (n=102), cancer surgeons (n=100), practice nurses (n=102), cancer nurse specialists (n=99).  The sample was stratified by NHS regions. Results. Twenty nine percent of HPs would not recommend e-cigarettes to cancer patients who smoke, with cancer surgeons and cancer nurse specialists significantly less likely to recommend e-cigarettes.  38% believed colleagues would feel uncomfortable about recommending e-cigarettes to cancer patients.  The majority of respondents reported that e-cigarettes were either banned or only allowed in designated tobacco smoking areas in both primary and secondary care.  46% of HPs reported their organisation did not have guidance on e-cigarettes, with 45% of HPs saying they were unsure. Over half of HPs believed their knowledge was not sufficient to recommend e-cigarettes to cancer patients, and 25% did not know whether e-cigarettes were less harmful than smoking tobacco cigarettes. Conclusion. While UK health policy promotes e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid, this has not yet been adopted by local health organisations, causing barriers to and uncertainty around promoting use of e-cigarettes in cancer patients that smoke. Training of health professionals and local adoption of e-cigarette advice are needed.
  

  Website 

Membership of professional bodies

Membership of Professional Bodies

• Member of the Global Drug Survey (GDS) International Expert Advisory Group.
• Member of the UK Society for Behavioural Medicine UKSBM Early Career Network Committee 2017-2017
• Chartered Psychologist and member of the British Psychological Society (BPS)
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA)
• Communications Officer, Newsletter Editor, Oxford Hub Coordinator for BPS West Midlands Branch 2014-2015
• Psychology Postgraduate Affairs Group (PsyPAG) Vice Chair 2012-2014

Conferences

Selected Conference Presentations

Davies, E.L., Holmes, J, Maier, L.J., Barratt, M., Ferris, J.A. & Winstock, A.R. The impact of alcohol health warning labels on drinking behaviours: an international survey, UK Society for Behavioural Medicine (UKSBM) Annual Scientific Meeting, Birmingham, UK, December 2018

Davies, E.L., Holmes, J, Maier, L.J., Barratt, M., Ferris, J.A. & Winstock, A.R.  Alcohol health warning labels and their impact on drinking behaviours: an international survey, European Society for Prevention Research, Lisbon, Portugal, October 2018.

Davies, E.L., Maier, L.J., Winstock, A.R. & Ferris, J.A. Intention to reduce drinking and preferred sources of support: an international cross-sectional study, European Health Psychology Society Conference, Galway, Ireland, August 2018.

Davies, E., Lewis, E-B. & Hennelly, S. “I am quite mellow but I wouldn't say everyone else is”: A mixed methods exploration of normative misperceptions of alcohol consumption and self-evaluation of drinking behaviour compared to others (Poster presentation) British Psychological Society Annual Conference, Brighton, May 2017

Davies, E.L. ‘You can be different types of drunk’: A think aloud study with adolescents and teachers to explore acceptability of a digital intervention to reduce alcohol misuse (oral presentation as part of symposium  on ‘Applying user-centred development methods to create acceptable and persuasive digital health interventions’) UK Society for Behavioural Medicine Annual Conference, Cardiff, UK, December 2016

Davies, E.L. Lonsdale, A.J., Hennelly, S. & Foxcroft, D.R. Personalised digital interventions have no impact on risky drinking and alcohol related harms in young people in a randomised controlled trial (poster presentation) European Society for Prevention Research Annual Conference, Berlin, Germany, November 2015

Davies, E.L. How much is too much? A think aloud study to explore the feasibility and acceptability of a digital intervention for the prevention of alcohol related harm in adolescents (oral presentation) European Society for Prevention Research Annual Conference, Ljubljana, Slovenia, October 2015

Davies, E.L. It's okay to have alcohol every now and again but excessive drinking is a bit weird: exploring the acceptability and feasibility of the alcohol smart quiz in a think aloud study (poster presentation) British Psychological Society Division of Health Psychology Annual Conference, London, September 2015

Davies. E.L, Martin, J & Foxcroft D.R. Development of a co-produced intervention to prevent alcohol misuse in young people: A think aloud study (Poster presentation) British Psychological Society Annual Conference, Liverpool, May 2015

Davies. E.L, Martin, J & Foxcroft, D. A think aloud study evaluating the acceptability and feasibility of an alcohol misuse intervention for young people (Oral presentation) Alcohol Research UK Postgraduate and early career research symposium, London, March 2014.

Invited Talks/Workshops

Psychological Approaches to Reducing Alcohol Related Harms in Adolescents Invited talk at Oxford University Psychology and Neuroscience Applications Society 24th February 2016 http://psynapps.org/2016/03/11/psychological-approaches-to-alcohol-related-problems-in-adolescence/

Adding value to your PhD Invited workshop at PsyPAG 30th Anniversary conference, Glasgow, July 2015.

Member of early career researcher panel at Emerging New Researchers in Geographies of Health and Impairment(ENRGHI)Conference, Portsmouth, June 2014

Development and specification of novel behavioural interventions. Pre-conference workshop sponsored by Science for Prevention Academic Network (SPAN) at European Society for Prevention Research, Paris, November 2013.