38541 research outputs found
Sort by
Impact of psychological stress and mammary tumour growth on structural and functional protein expression in cognitive brain areas
No full textAims: Cognitive impairments are commonly reported across breast cancer patients and frequently attributed to the toxic side effects of chemotherapy treatment. However, it is evident that 35% of breast cancer patients experience cognitive impairments prior to chemotherapy. This suggests that tumour growth itself and/or the diagnosis-related stress might contribute to the development of cancer-related cognitive impairments (CRCI). The main aim of this thesis is to investigate the effect of tumour growth and diagnosis-related stress on the development of pre-treatment cognitive impairments.
Methods: A mass spectrometry proteomics profiling of the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus and cerebellum of the 3-month-old mice tissue was performed to investigate the effect of the tumour growth and restraint stress on the synaptic plasticity-related proteins. Moreover, immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining and western blot analysis were performed to validate the significantly changing proteins identified through proteomics analysis. To further study the effect of tumour growth on the cognitive brain regions (hippocampus and cerebellum), a 3-D in vitro co-culture model of the Py230 cells and organotypic brain slices was developed. Moreover, the secretomes of 3-D Py230 spheroids were investigated to enhance our understanding of what the spheroids were secreting in response to different pharmacological treatments such as TNF-α, IFN-γ, and cortisone treatment.
Results: Our results suggest that tumour growth itself and psychological stress affected the synaptic plasticity and myelin-related proteins, and consequently, cognitive functions such as learning, memory, and executive functions might be affected. Moreover, we successfully developed a unique model of the 3-D Py-230 spheroids that preserves the tumour growth microenvironment and the OTBSs, which maintain the brain tissue structure and function, such as synapse and microglial activity. Furthermore, the secretomes of Py230 spheroids were affected by pharmacological treatments such as TNF-α, IFN-γ, and cortisone treatment.
Conclusions: Tumour growth itself and restraint stress might affect cognitive-related domains such as memory, learning, decision-making, and other cognitive functions before the onset of breast cancer treatment. This cognitive impairment might be mainly explained by the neuroinflammation resulting from the tumour growth peripheral inflammation or the stress response
Agent-Based Logics in Dependent Type Theory
Get PDFThis thesis is on the formalisation of mathematics in Martin-Löf type theory. This is a class of dependently-typed functional programming languages whose rules form a language suitable for the statement and proof of mathematical theorems. Programs in type theory can be mechanically checked to be well-typed, which corresponds to proofs being checked to be valid. In particular, we explore the semantics of certain agent-based logics, and seek to give them appropriate representations using the concepts of type theory.
We embed the syntax of epistemic modal logic in type theory as predicates over a type of possible worlds. Knowledge operators are defined in this setting by stating a set of properties they must satisfy. We prove this knowledge operator semantics equivalent to the traditional relational semantics of epistemic logic. Common knowledge is then defined in the embedding as a coinductive predicate, whose proofs are infinite data structures. We prove this representation is equivalent to the intuitive definition as iterated universal knowledge, and prove it is equivalent to the relational interpretation. In coalition logic, we represent game forms and playable effectivity functions in type theory, and outline a proof of their equivalence
Energy transition leadership in Malaysia
No full textThis study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the current leadership situation in Malaysia to drive energy transition using the New Model of Leadership for Change by Roger Gill (2003) as benchmark. A semi-structured interview was employed involving professionals from the Malaysian energy industry. Information gathered were analysed using thematic analysis method which is by identifying recurring themes and patterns, which was then compared against the New Model of Leadership for Change. The findings suggest the model effectively outlines the essential leadership qualities required to drive Malaysia’s energy transition. It highlights the importance of visionary thinking, strategic thinking, good values and culture and the ability to inspire and motivate the people. However, the model could be significantly enhanced by incorporating an element of risk-taking. This addition would demonstrate a leader's strong commitment and willingness to achieve transformative change, showing a higher level of dedication and a proactive approach to overcoming challenges. Malaysian leaders have shown commendable progress in developing a vision and high-level strategy for the country’s energy transition by setting ambitious targets but other critical components such as strategic planning, fostering values and culture, empowerment of teams, and sustaining motivation and inspiration have yet to be demonstrated
A consumer centred investigation of differentially private risk assessment models in consumer credit
Get PDFDifferential Privacy (DP) is a technology which allows one to gather aggregate information without compromising individual privacy. Over the last few years, it has become the state-of-the-art privacy-enhancing technology. DP has been implemented by several Big Tech companies, as well as governmental bodies, but research in applied contexts is still at a very early stage. As differential private algorithms have an inherent accuracy-privacy trade-off and no guarantees of an equal accuracy loss for different dataset subgroups, when applied in practical settings the accuracy drop could have significant impacts to consumers.
This thesis aims to understand the social and technical repercussions of implementing DP in Credit Risk Assessment Models in the UK Consumer Credit Industry from a consumer centred perspective. To achieve this, a sociotechnical approach was employed using a combination of qualitative and technical work. The first qualitative studies were an exploratory user interviews about the application process and an interview-based industry stakeholder consultation. The technical element was the implementation and comparison of different differentially private decision tree-based algorithms. The thesis culminates in an interactive game study to gather consumers’ attitudes towards the implementation.
Findings from the technical study found that the DP algorithms had a negligible accuracy drop for specific amounts of privacy when compared to a non-private algorithm and rare occasions of disparate accuracy loss. Triangulating these findings with the knowledge on the workings of the consumer credit industry from the industry consultation we can deduce that if DP was implemented, the majority of consumers would not be significantly affected, with the exception of the consumers that are closer to the threshold of being denied credit.
The implementation of DP would be dependent on the amount of accuracy loss and regulatory encouragement, according to the industry consultation findings. To compensate for the implementation, lenders could change their credit policy to account for the small increase in uncertainty in the risk scores. This could make credit less accessible, which goes against regulatory aims, and hence not likely to have regulatory support.
Consumers also had very mixed views regarding the implementation of DP, as they would rather have better financial options than protect their personal data. These findings are based on the interactive game study, which communicated potential scenarios of the implementation of DP in the risk assessment model in the loan application process to gather consumers' attitudes towards the technology.
Based on these findings DP is unlikely to be implemented, as lenders would require some regulatory encouragement which seems unlikely unless there is a shift in public opinion. This work contributes to the underrepresented area on usable DP and consumers' requirements and attitudes towards the loan application process in the UK consumer credit industry
Aspects of de Sitter Vacua in Theoretical Cosmology
Get PDFThe work presented in this thesis is based on research conducted at the Particle Theory Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom. In this thesis we explore de Sitter vacua in theoretical cosmology. The thesis has two parts. In Part I we consider different stringinspired models which are related to the cosmological constant problem. In Part II we study the de Sitter vacua solutions in one string cosmology model, namely, O(d, d) invariant cosmology.
In Part I we study three aspects of de Sitter vacua in string-inspired models. First of all, in chapter 2 we review the related concepts and tools we need in this part, namely, string landscape, swampland conjecture and bubble nucleation. In chapter 3, we consider a wide class of 4D effective field theories in which gravity is coupled to multiple four-forms and their dual scalar fields, with membrane sources charged under the corresponding three-form potentials. We propose a “probabilistic” argument to explain the small cosmological constant instead of the dominant anthropic principle. Chapter 3 is based on original work in collaboration with Antonio Padilla and Francisco G. Pedro [1]. In chapter 4, we explore in detail whether or not different models are compatible with the membrane weak gravity conjecture. We find that these models can be generalised to the DBI action. Chapter 4 is based on original work in collaboration with Antonio Padilla and Francisco G. Pedro [2]. In chapter 5, we generalise the results in chapter 3 and 4 to D-dimensions including the Gauss-Bonnet term. We find that the Euclidean action of the bounce, B, describing the decay of a de Sitter vacuum, is proportional to k^{−(D−2)}_{+} , which has a pole as k^2_{+} → 0 where k^2_{+} is the curvature of the parent vacuum. We find a new decay channel, describing up-tunneling from anti-de Sitter into de Sitter. Chapter 5 is based on original work done by the author [3].
In Part II we explore the de Sitter vacua solutions in O(d, d) invariant cosmology. We briefly review the basic concepts of O(d, d) invariant cosmology in chapter 6. Then in chapter 7 we perform a thorough analysis of de Sitter solutions in O(d, d) invariant cosmologies. We elucidate the nature of the instability in the string frame vacuum. For the Einstein frame, we find that the de Sitter solutions cannot be eternal. Then we extend our analysis to include Bianchi I universes. We show that we can extend the theory to the anisotropic case so that de-Sitter solutions can exist. All results in chapter 7 are presented in this paper [4], which is done in collaboration with Antonio Padilla, Paul Saffin and Robert Smith
Novel use of miniature CPC in photovoltaic/thermal and radiative cooling systems
No full textThe rapid development of modern society has significantly increased energy consumption, particularly in the building sector. More than 80% of the primary energy supply still relies on non-renewable sources such as fossil fuels, raising concerns about energy shortages and environmental pollution. To promote energy conservation and transition to a sustainable society, research and development of sustainable energy technologies is becoming increasingly imperative. Among various strategies, photovoltaic thermal (PVT) systems, which use solar energy (~5800K) to provide heat and electricity to buildings, and passive radiative sky cooling (RC) technology, which utilizes the cold outer space (~3K) to cool buildings, are seen as attractive approaches. However, RC technology currently faces the challenge of inherent low cooling power, limiting its ability to meet the cooling demands of buildings. Therefore, enhancing the cooling performance of RC technology is urgently needed. Additionally, standalone building-integrated PVT system and RC technology encounter challenges such as seasonal adaptability and single functionality. To effectively integrate PVT and RC systems within a limited building envelope, exploring new configurations is crucial. In this thesis, a concentrated RC system based on a compound parabolic concentrator (named CPC-RC module) is deeply studied and continuously optimizes its structure to enhance cooling performance. Additionally, a hybrid system integrating CPC-RC modules with PVT modules is proposed. This system can simultaneously collect solar energy and cold energy for heating and cooling buildings, aiming to reduce energy consumption and offer an innovative solution for promoting net-zero carbon buildings.
This thesis first proposes a modelling approach to accurately characterize the cooling performance of RC modules, addressing the issue in existing theoretical analyses that often overestimate of cooling power. Additionally, utilizing this approach evaluates the cooling performance of CPC-RC module on different typical days. Numerical analysis demonstrates that CPC-RC module exhibits excellent cooling performance in summer, with an average nighttime cooling power of 130.10 W/m2, which is 5.7% and 18.1% higher than that of inverted trapezoidal concentrator-based RC module and flat RC module, respectively. Experimental results also show that the temperature reduction capacity of CPC-RC modules is 30% greater than the flat RC modules. However, during the daytime, CPC-RC module cannot achieve self-cooling due to the solar concentration characteristic by the CPC. To address this issue, the mirror CPC structure in the CPC-RC module has been replaced with a CPC made of dissimilar materials, with one side transparent and the other mirrored. This new module is referred to as the DCPC-RC module, features a unique CPC structure that allows part of the solar radiation to pass through the transparent side, achieving excellent daytime cooling performance. Experiments have shown that the module can achieve a cooling effect of 0.95 °C below ambient temperature during the daytime. This new configuration provides a design concept for integrating RC modules with PVT modules by using a transparent infrared reflective film (TIRF) to direct solar radiation toward the PVT modules while effectively reducing the solar radiation reaching the RC emitter. This thesis further proposes and develops an innovative system that integrates PVT and RC modules based on a transparent CPC covered with TIRF (referred to as TIRF-TCPC-PVTRC system) to achieve simultaneous heating and cooling, thereby meeting the dynamic energy demand of the building throughout the year. The experimental results show that the TIRF-TCPC-PVTRC system achieves an 88% improvement in cooling capacity compared to the PVTRC module without the TCPC structure, demonstrating excellent cooling performance. However, due to the weighted average solar transmittance of the used TIRF only being 0.69, the conversion efficiency of the TIRF-TCPC-PVTRC module decreased by 36% compared to the PVTRC module. This novel system integrates two different energy collections modules into a single unit, maximizing the use of renewable energy from both the sun and outer space. This integrated approach is expected to address the challenges faced by individual RC and PVT modules, such as low efficiency and intermittent operation
Plasma small extracellular vesicles as biomarkers in neurodegenerative dementias: focusing on microglial enrichment in dementia with Lewy bodies
No full textThere is an urgent clinical need for identifying blood-based biomarkers that can aid distinguishing between the two most common neurodegenerative dementias, AD and DLB. Advancing our understanding of its molecular pathogenesis is essential for identifying novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for them. Extracellular vesicles (EV) are cell-derived vesicles with lipid bilayer membrane which carry biologically active proteins, lipids and nucleic acids including messenger RNA (mRNA) and small non-coding RNAs from their cells of origin. Because of their potential for transferring biological information, and ability for cell-to-cell communication, EV can be utilised as a tool to develop blood-based biomarkers for differentiating DLB from AD.
I investigated the importance of extracellular vesicles (EV) in understanding the pathology of DLB primarily through in silico analyses of EV RNA sequencing. I replicated an established protocol for enriching plasma EV of neuronal origin and adapted the protocol for isolating microglia origin enriched EV. I performed Illumina RNA sequencing analysis from EV enriched from neuronal, astrocyte, and microglial origins. I assessed differential expression of mRNA and non-coding RNAs between groups of AD, DLB and healthy control individuals. In chapter 5, I identified 4,278 potential target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs in individuals with DLB. Key enriched processes included transcriptional regulation, apoptosis, autophagy, and neuronal development, and enriched molecular functions, protein kinase and ubiquitin-protein transferase activity. In chapter 5, I identified 28 differentially expressed genes (DEG) including SLC6A18, QRICH2, ANOS1, ZBTB16 and MT-RNR2 with the sequencing analysis of plasma small extracellular vesicles (SEV) from people with AD. Subsequently, in chapter 6, the analysis of SEV from patients with AD revealed that tRNA-Glu-CTC-1-1 was upregulated in total plasma SEV, while mitochondrial tRNAs like MT-TV and MT-TE were downregulated in neuronal and astrocyte origin enriched. Additionally, 22 miRNAs, including hsa-miR-185-5p and hsa-miR-142-5p, were differentially expressed.
In chapter 7, I successfully developed a protocol for enriching microglial origin SEV using antibody against TMEM119, a cell-surface protein that is expressed in microglia. RNA sequencing analysis comparing microglial origin enriched SEV from plasma of people with DLB and AD indicated PRDX6, and TMEM97 were significantly downregulated in DLB. In contrast, the genes MIR28, TSPAN4, and SLC13A4 were found significantly upregulated in DLB. To conclude, I demonstrated the viability of conducting comprehensive RNA-Seq analysis using enriched SEV samples from plasma. This method allowed for the identification of potential blood-based diagnostic biomarkers that can aid differentiating between DLB and AD
Moral injury and burnout in police organisations
No full textMoral injury can be defined as the emotional and cognitive response to a transgressive act which violates an individual’s moral code and deeply held beliefs. Research in healthcare has started to consider whether there is a relationship between moral injury and burnout. Policing involves exposure to potentially traumatic and morally injurious events yet police employees remain less likely to seek help for their psychological wellbeing. International research suggests several barriers exist that deter police employees doing this. This thesis aims to investigate whether moral injury is related to burnout in policing, and to explore the barriers that stop police seeking mental health support. Study 1 investigated whether moral injury was associated with burnout in a sample of 97 police employees, or whether a relationship was better explained by other variables. Study 2 involved interviews with nine police employees and explored barriers to seeking psychological wellbeing support. A positive correlation was found between moral injury and burnout. Hierarchical regression analysis showed moral injury and organisational stressors were the only two predictor variables that had a significant association with burnout. Thematic analysis resulted in five themes being identified related to barriers to seeking help – the culture of policing, a perceived need to portray oneself as superhuman, stigma, an unsafe organisation, and the help being insufficient. The findings establish the importance of moral injury awareness and intervention within policing and provide evidence related to barriers to seeking psychological wellbeing support which can seriously impact on the ability of police employees to keep communities safe
The role of attachment, self-compassion, and emotion regulation in survivors of domestic violence: an exploration of psychological mechanisms and compassion-focused self-help intervention
No full textBackground: Domestic violence (DV) is a common worldwide phenomenon. Nearly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 7 men in England and Wales experience DV in their lifetimes. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most prevalent negative psychological outcome associated with domestic violence. Yet, not all individuals experienced DV develop PTSD symptoms, which suggests that additional factors should be considered to predict the risk of developing PTSD symptoms among this population. As a theory of emotion regulation and interpersonal relationships, attachment theory may be an important framework that helps to explain why some DV survivors develop PTSD while others do not. Although prior research has demonstrated a strong association between adult attachment and PTSD symptoms, the underlying mechanisms driving this relationship remain only partially understood. While some studies have begun to explore potential mediators and moderators, further investigation is needed to clarify these processes, particularly in high-risk populations such as DV. Hence, identifying factors that may either increase risk or protect individuals from developing PTSD symptoms is crucial. Self-compassion, as a protective factor, and emotion regulation strategies are among such mechanisms. Individual differences in attachment styles, self-compassion, and emotion regulation processes, such as rumination, thought suppression, and dissociation may help clarify why some survivors of DV are more prone to developing PTSD symptoms. Furthermore, although research on self-compassion continues to grow in psychological research and clinical practice, little is known about its developmental origins, with the majority of research being predominantly quantitative. Thus, there is an identified gap in the literature that needs to be addressed by using the more nuanced advantages of qualitative research to understand the development of self-compassion alongside the associated construct of emotion regulation in the context of early attachment relationships. Understanding these mechanisms better help to inform relevant psychological interventions, given that self-compassion is amenable to change through a broad array of interventions, while attachment bonds might be less malleable.
Aims: This PhD project aims to explore psychological mechanisms among survivors of DV, looking into the role of attachment, self-compassion, and emotion regulation influencing post-trauma reactions and the benefits of the adapted self-help compassion-focused intervention to alleviate the suffering of people affected by DV. Chapter 1 (Literature Review) defines key concepts and relevant theories in the context of trauma and survivors of domestic violence. It provides essential theoretical background on the core study constructs related to the post-traumatic context, positioning them within a broader theoretical framework that supports the focus of this research. The first chapter also reviewed relevant empirical evidence, emphasizing the need to address the limitations of existing studies to advance the understanding of psychological mechanisms of interests in the context of domestic violence and to inform treatment avenues for DV-related outcomes among survivors. Chapter 2 (Study 1) presents a cross-sectional investigation of the interrelationships between adult attachment, self-compassion, specific emotion regulation processes and PTSD symptoms in survivors of DV. It examines the extent to which these factors contribute to the development of PTSD symptoms and whether part of the link between attachment styles and PTSD symptoms might be explained by these predictors; specifically, self-compassion and emotion regulation strategies such as rumination, thought suppression, and dissociation. Chapter 3 (Study 2) presents a qualitative exploration of the impact of early attachment relationships on the development of self-compassion and capacity for emotion regulation, contributing to a deeper understanding of attachment profiles, self-compassion development, the ability to manage difficult emotions. Chapter 4 (Study 3) evaluates the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of a compassion-focused self-help intervention with a guided component to support survivors of DV, using a single-case series design. Finally, the General Discussion of proposed study represented in Chapter 5 integrates the findings from the previous chapters and situates them within the broader literature, aiming to provide a comprehensive perspective that addresses the research questions guiding this PhD project. This chapter also outlines the key strengths and limitations of the study, discusses its broader implications, and proposes future directions, with a focus on enhancing support interventions for DV survivors and advancing trauma-informed clinical practice.
Methods: A cross-sectional design was used in the first study of this PhD project to collect quantitative data on key study variables through validated self-report measures. Anonymous adult survivors of domestic violence (n = 138) completed an online survey hosted on the JISC platform. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the proposed model for predicting PTSD symptoms, while a series of moderation and mediation analyses were used to examine the role of self-compassion and three emotion regulation processes in the relationship between adult attachment and PTSD symptoms among survivors of DV. Study 2 employed qualitative design to gather data through semi-structured interviews held online via MS Teams. The qualitative data from the interviews (n=20) were considered suitable for reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) using the six-step approach outlined by Braun and Clarke (2006, 2019). Study 3 employed a single-case series with a basic A-B design to assess whether an adapted, four-week guided self-help compassion-focused intervention increased self-compassion and reduced self-blame, alongside secondary outcome measures. Six participants completed the full CFT intervention (n = 6). Self-report measures were administered weekly, while some were administered only at pre-baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up time points. Quantitative data from these measures were analysed through visual inspection of process and outcome data, along with calculations of reliable and clinically significant change indices and effect size estimates (Tau-U A vs. B).
Results: The results from Study 1 showed that lower levels of dissociation, thought suppression, and attachment anxiety predicted greater PTSD symptoms, whereas attachment avoidance, rumination, and lower self-compassion were not significant predictors among survivors of DV. Dissociation moderated the relationship between attachment anxiety and PTSD symptoms but did not moderate the attachment avoidance-PTSD link. Mediation analyses indicated that thought suppression fully mediated the relationship between attachment avoidance and PTSD. In addition, self-compassion and dissociation partially mediated this relationship, while rumination did not. For attachment anxiety, self-compassion, rumination, thought suppression, and dissociation all partially mediated its association with PTSD. The obtained findings from Study 2 provided a deeper understanding of the ways in which early caregiver-child relationships shape individual differences in self-compassion and the capacity for emotion regulation. Identified key themes indicated that survivors' self-compassion has been shaped by parental modelling, the lack of parental guidance, negative parental messages, an emphasis on achievements, and the prioritisation of others over oneself, and treating oneself as caregivers treated them. Similarly, their coping strategies for managing difficult emotions were influenced by parental modelling, insufficient parental guidance, the impact of emotional neglect on self-reliance, and the nature of treatment from caregivers. In Study 3, at post-intervention, five out of six participants demonstrated clinically significant improvements in self-compassion, while three showed similar changes in self-blame. Only one participant experienced no notable change. Tau-U analyses indicated moderate to very large effect sizes for three participants, supported by visual analysis. Two participants consistently benefited across all measures. Most reported reductions in secondary measures and attributed improvements primarily to the intervention, particularly the guided calls. Feedback suggested the intervention was both feasible and acceptable.
Conclusions: The PhD project underscores the importance of identifying mechanisms that may serve as either a buffering or vulnerability factors in the development of PTSD symptoms among survivors of DV. It shed light on some early rearing factors and experiences that support or impede development of self-compassion and emotion regulation, offering valuable insights for both clinical interventions and future research. Specifically, interventions aimed at targeting self-compassion and maladaptive emotion regulation strategies (thought suppression and dissociation) may be particularly beneficial in time-limited therapeutic settings, rather than focusing on modifying one’s attachment orientation. Moreover, low-intensity, compassion-focused self-help interventions also show promise as therapeutic resources for survivors of DV. Future research should continue to evaluate the clinical utility of compassion-focused self-help approaches within trauma-exposed populations
Experiences and satisfaction of Forensic Psychologists during and after training considering cultural competence
Get PDFThis thesis contributes to the existing literature on cultural training within psychology, specifically focusing on forensic psychology. It is suggested that there is an increase in individuals from various cultural groups within forensic settings. Furthermore, these individuals experience several barriers to engagement in therapeutic interventions, and there is a risk of bias in assessments and interventions. This is linked to a lack of cultural competence from psychologists. Despite this, there is a lack of training and research focused on developing Forensic Psychologists' cultural competence in order to work with these varied client groups. Considering the importance of culturally competent practice, this thesis is crucial for Forensic Psychologists, faculty of forensic psychology programmes and clients that Forensic Psychologists work with.
The first chapter introduces this thesis, provides a rationale for this research, and explores the conceptual framework of cultural competence and theoretical underpinnings to understand training within psychology.
Chapter two provides a systemic review conducted on understanding the perceptions, satisfaction, and needs of cultural training based on psychologists' experiences. The review highlights the lack of cultural training while also documenting perceived barriers and areas for improvement. This review also documents a need for more research across various cultural fields, including reporting that there is no research focusing on Forensic Psychologists' experiences of cultural training.
The third chapter of this thesis expanded on the results of the systematic review to focus on Forensic Psychologists' satisfaction with their current cultural training and their self-reported cultural competence. Using a cross-sectional design, this empirical study documented some statistical significance for one of the hypotheses, suggesting that current cultural training contributes to developing Forensic Psychologists' cultural knowledge and cross-cultural abilities (‘non-ethnic ability’). Although, the rest of the hypotheses do not show statistical significance. Furthermore, the results of this study also document that factors external to training are likely to contribute to cultural competence development. The conclusions of this chapter highlight a need for further exploration of these external factors.
As a result, the fourth chapter in this thesis uses an exploratory qualitative approach to explore the success and barriers to cultural training and cultural competence within Forensic Psychology. This chapter used thematic analysis to analyse ten semi-structured interviews with Forensic Psychologists. Four themes were discussed: didactic training, learning from others, self-directed learning, and barriers to engaging in cultural competence practice. This chapter highlighted implications that include increased cultural training, more spaces for reflection and discussion and several barriers that must be addressed. Further research and limitations are also discussed in this chapter.
Following this, chapter five considers ways that cultural competence is currently measured by assessing psychometric properties, including the validity and reliability, of the California Brief Multicultural Scale (CBMCS). The results of this chapter suggest that cultural competence should not be measured solely by self-report psychometrics. Instead, qualitative measures or expert ratings are also recommended, to manage for social desirability and bias.
Finally, the thesis conclusions are presented in chapter six. This chapter considers the main findings with reference to previous literature, commenting on this thesis' limitations, implications for forensic practice, and recommendations for future research
Access Repository Dashboard
Do you manage Open Research Online? Become a CORE Member to access insider analytics, issue reports and manage access to outputs from your repository in the CORE Repository Dashboard! 👇