![Olivia Hughes PhD, MSc, BA, CPsychol, AFBPsS](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/6572?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Olivia Hughes
(she/her)
PhD, MSc, BA, CPsychol, AFBPsS
Teams and roles for Olivia Hughes
Research Associate
Overview
I'm a Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol) and Research Associate in the School of Psychology and CARE, the Centre for Adult Social Care Research, Cardiff University.
Publication
2026
- Bright, H. R. B. et al., 2026. Serious infection risk of certolizumab compared with other systemic therapies in women with psoriasis [Letter to the Editor]. British Journal of Dermatology 195 (2), pp.349-351. (10.1093/bjd/ljag170)
- Phan, D. B. et al., 2026. Using biologic therapies as first-line systemic treatment for psoriasis: A cohort study following the target trial emulation framework from the British Association of Dermatologists Biologics and Immunomodulators Register (BADBIR). British Journal of Dermatology 195 (1), pp.58-67. (10.1093/bjd/ljag098)
- Bright Bright, H. R. et al., 2026. Serious infection risk of certolizumab compared with other systemic therapies in women with psoriasis [Conference Abstract]. British Journal of Dermatology 195 (Supp_1) ljag086.190. (10.1093/bjd/ljag086.190)
- Phan, D. B. et al., 2026. Using biologic therapies as first-line systemic treatment for psoriasis: a cohort study following the target trial emulation framework from the British Association of Dermatologists Biologics and Immunomodulators Register (BADBIR) [Conference Abstract]. British Journal of Dermatology 195 (Supp_1) ljag086.019. (10.1093/bjd/ljag086.019)
- Phan, D. B. et al., 2026. The effectiveness of different biologic classes when used as first-line systemic treatment for psoriasis: a cohort study from the British Association of Dermatologists Biologics and Immunomodulators Register [Conference Abstract]. British Journal of Dermatology 195 (Supp_1) ljag151.047. (10.1093/bjd/ljag151.047)
- Phan, D. B. et al., 2026. Using biologic therapies as first-line systemic treatment for psoriasis: a cohort study following the target trial emulation framework using data from the British Association of Dermatologists Biologics and Immunomodulators Register. British Journal of Dermatology 195 (1), pp.58-67. (10.1093/bjd/ljag098)
2025
- Hill, C. et al. 2025. A meta-analysis of self-compassion and attachment in adults. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice 98 (4), pp.833-858. (10.1111/papt.12590)
- Guckian, J. et al., 2025. Topical steroid withdrawal: self-diagnosis, unconscious bias and social media. Skin Health and Disease 5 (4), pp.281-288. (10.1093/skinhd/vzaf051)
- Hughes, O. and Thompson, A. R. 2025. Mindfulness and adjustment to skin conditions. In: Sirois, F. M. ed. The Palgrave Handbook of Positive Psychology and Health. London: Palgrave Macmillan. , pp.415-442. (10.1007/978-3-031-89095-6)
- Williams, K. et al., 2025. Risk of suicide and suicidality in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis: results from the British Association of Dermatologists Biologic and Immunomodulators Register (BADBIR). Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 50 (4), pp.804-811. (10.1093/ced/llae449)
- Day, M. et al., 2025. Impact of childhood psoriasis on children and parents during transition to adolescence: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. British Journal of Health Psychology 30 (1) e12763. (10.1111/bjhp.12763)
2024
- Hughes, O. et al. 2024. ‘Living in the present’ Mindfulness for parents of children with skin conditions: A single group case series. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (10.1017/S1352465824000341)
- Hughes, O. , Shelton, K. H. and Thompson, A. 2024. Healthcare professionals’ views on psychological support for children and families affected by skin conditions in the UK: a qualitative study. Skin Health and Disease 4 (4) e376. (10.1002/ski2.376)
- Hughes, O. and Thompson, A. R. 2024. Dealing with flares in skin conditions: how can we meet patient need?. British Journal of Dermatology 191 (1), pp.9-10. ljae084. (10.1093/bjd/ljae084)
- Williams, K. et al., 2024. PS04 Suicide risk in patients with psoriasis: results from the British Association of Dermatologists Biologics and Immunomodulators Register (BADBIR). British Journal of Dermatology 191 (S.1), pp.i177-i177. (10.1093/bjd/ljae090.375)
2023
- Arents, B. W. M. et al., 2023. The future is now: the Global Atopic Dermatitis Atlas (GADA). British Journal of Dermatology 189 (6), pp.761-763. ljad286. (10.1093/bjd/ljad286)
- McGrath, B. M. and Hughes, O. 2023. The dermatology patient journey from initial consultation to diagnosis [Commentary]. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 37 (S7), pp.25-26. (10.1111/jdv.18987)
- Hughes, O. and Bewley, A. 2023. Is it really ever 'just acne'? Considering the psychodermatology of acne. British Journal of Dermatology 189 (1), pp.i11-i16. (10.1093/bjd/ljad251)
- Guckian, J. et al., 2023. Dermatologist perspectives on topical steroid withdrawal: distrust, disinformation and distance?. British Journal of Dermatology (10.1093/bjd/ljad113.355)
- Hughes, O. et al. 2023. Living with physical health conditions: a systematic review of mindfulness-based interventions for children, adolescents, and their parents. Journal of Pediatric Psychology 48 (4), pp.396-413. (10.1093/jpepsy/jsad003)
- Hughes, O. et al. 2023. Parent and child experience of skin conditions: relevance for the provision of mindfulness-based interventions. British Journal of Dermatology 188 (4), pp.514-523. (10.1093/bjd/ljac129)
- Watkins, H. et al., 2023. The use of inpatient goal planning in a regional burns centre: a thematic analysis of staff and patient experiences. Burns 49 (1), pp.100-109. (10.1016/j.burns.2022.02.013)
- Hughes, O. 2023. Mindfulness-based online support for children and families affected by skin conditions. PhD Thesis , Cardiff University.
2022
- Hughes, O. , Hutchings, P. B. and Phelps, C. 2022. Stigma, social appearance anxiety and coping in men and women living with skin conditions: a mixed methods analysis. Skin Health and Disease 2 (4) e73. (10.1002/ski2.73)
- Hughes, O. and Hunter, R. 2022. Understanding the experiences of anger in the onset and progression of psoriasis: a thematic analysis. Skin Health and Disease 2 (4) e111. (10.1002/ski2.111)
- Hughes, O. , Prescott, L. and Arents, B. W. 2022. Patient engagement with the BJD: encouraging the patient voice and readership. British Journal of Dermatology 187 (6), pp.835-836. (10.1111/bjd.21812)
- Hewitt, R. M. et al. 2022. A mixed methods systematic review of digital interventions to support the psychological health and well-being of people living with dermatological conditions. Frontiers in Medicine (10.3389/fmed.2022.1024879)
- Hughes, O. 2022. The need for psychological support in routine dermatological care across the UK. British Journal of Dermatology 187 (5), pp.778-779. (10.1111/bjd.21720)
- Hughes, O. and Hunter, R. 2022. The importance of exploring the role of anger in people with psoriasis [Research Letter]. JMIR Dermatology 5 (1) e33920. (10.2196/33920)
Articles
- Bright, H. R. B. et al., 2026. Serious infection risk of certolizumab compared with other systemic therapies in women with psoriasis [Letter to the Editor]. British Journal of Dermatology 195 (2), pp.349-351. (10.1093/bjd/ljag170)
- Phan, D. B. et al., 2026. Using biologic therapies as first-line systemic treatment for psoriasis: A cohort study following the target trial emulation framework from the British Association of Dermatologists Biologics and Immunomodulators Register (BADBIR). British Journal of Dermatology 195 (1), pp.58-67. (10.1093/bjd/ljag098)
- Bright Bright, H. R. et al., 2026. Serious infection risk of certolizumab compared with other systemic therapies in women with psoriasis [Conference Abstract]. British Journal of Dermatology 195 (Supp_1) ljag086.190. (10.1093/bjd/ljag086.190)
- Phan, D. B. et al., 2026. Using biologic therapies as first-line systemic treatment for psoriasis: a cohort study following the target trial emulation framework from the British Association of Dermatologists Biologics and Immunomodulators Register (BADBIR) [Conference Abstract]. British Journal of Dermatology 195 (Supp_1) ljag086.019. (10.1093/bjd/ljag086.019)
- Phan, D. B. et al., 2026. The effectiveness of different biologic classes when used as first-line systemic treatment for psoriasis: a cohort study from the British Association of Dermatologists Biologics and Immunomodulators Register [Conference Abstract]. British Journal of Dermatology 195 (Supp_1) ljag151.047. (10.1093/bjd/ljag151.047)
- Phan, D. B. et al., 2026. Using biologic therapies as first-line systemic treatment for psoriasis: a cohort study following the target trial emulation framework using data from the British Association of Dermatologists Biologics and Immunomodulators Register. British Journal of Dermatology 195 (1), pp.58-67. (10.1093/bjd/ljag098)
- Hill, C. et al. 2025. A meta-analysis of self-compassion and attachment in adults. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice 98 (4), pp.833-858. (10.1111/papt.12590)
- Guckian, J. et al., 2025. Topical steroid withdrawal: self-diagnosis, unconscious bias and social media. Skin Health and Disease 5 (4), pp.281-288. (10.1093/skinhd/vzaf051)
- Williams, K. et al., 2025. Risk of suicide and suicidality in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis: results from the British Association of Dermatologists Biologic and Immunomodulators Register (BADBIR). Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 50 (4), pp.804-811. (10.1093/ced/llae449)
- Day, M. et al., 2025. Impact of childhood psoriasis on children and parents during transition to adolescence: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. British Journal of Health Psychology 30 (1) e12763. (10.1111/bjhp.12763)
- Hughes, O. et al. 2024. ‘Living in the present’ Mindfulness for parents of children with skin conditions: A single group case series. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (10.1017/S1352465824000341)
- Hughes, O. , Shelton, K. H. and Thompson, A. 2024. Healthcare professionals’ views on psychological support for children and families affected by skin conditions in the UK: a qualitative study. Skin Health and Disease 4 (4) e376. (10.1002/ski2.376)
- Hughes, O. and Thompson, A. R. 2024. Dealing with flares in skin conditions: how can we meet patient need?. British Journal of Dermatology 191 (1), pp.9-10. ljae084. (10.1093/bjd/ljae084)
- Williams, K. et al., 2024. PS04 Suicide risk in patients with psoriasis: results from the British Association of Dermatologists Biologics and Immunomodulators Register (BADBIR). British Journal of Dermatology 191 (S.1), pp.i177-i177. (10.1093/bjd/ljae090.375)
- Arents, B. W. M. et al., 2023. The future is now: the Global Atopic Dermatitis Atlas (GADA). British Journal of Dermatology 189 (6), pp.761-763. ljad286. (10.1093/bjd/ljad286)
- McGrath, B. M. and Hughes, O. 2023. The dermatology patient journey from initial consultation to diagnosis [Commentary]. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 37 (S7), pp.25-26. (10.1111/jdv.18987)
- Hughes, O. and Bewley, A. 2023. Is it really ever 'just acne'? Considering the psychodermatology of acne. British Journal of Dermatology 189 (1), pp.i11-i16. (10.1093/bjd/ljad251)
- Guckian, J. et al., 2023. Dermatologist perspectives on topical steroid withdrawal: distrust, disinformation and distance?. British Journal of Dermatology (10.1093/bjd/ljad113.355)
- Hughes, O. et al. 2023. Living with physical health conditions: a systematic review of mindfulness-based interventions for children, adolescents, and their parents. Journal of Pediatric Psychology 48 (4), pp.396-413. (10.1093/jpepsy/jsad003)
- Hughes, O. et al. 2023. Parent and child experience of skin conditions: relevance for the provision of mindfulness-based interventions. British Journal of Dermatology 188 (4), pp.514-523. (10.1093/bjd/ljac129)
- Watkins, H. et al., 2023. The use of inpatient goal planning in a regional burns centre: a thematic analysis of staff and patient experiences. Burns 49 (1), pp.100-109. (10.1016/j.burns.2022.02.013)
- Hughes, O. , Hutchings, P. B. and Phelps, C. 2022. Stigma, social appearance anxiety and coping in men and women living with skin conditions: a mixed methods analysis. Skin Health and Disease 2 (4) e73. (10.1002/ski2.73)
- Hughes, O. and Hunter, R. 2022. Understanding the experiences of anger in the onset and progression of psoriasis: a thematic analysis. Skin Health and Disease 2 (4) e111. (10.1002/ski2.111)
- Hughes, O. , Prescott, L. and Arents, B. W. 2022. Patient engagement with the BJD: encouraging the patient voice and readership. British Journal of Dermatology 187 (6), pp.835-836. (10.1111/bjd.21812)
- Hewitt, R. M. et al. 2022. A mixed methods systematic review of digital interventions to support the psychological health and well-being of people living with dermatological conditions. Frontiers in Medicine (10.3389/fmed.2022.1024879)
- Hughes, O. 2022. The need for psychological support in routine dermatological care across the UK. British Journal of Dermatology 187 (5), pp.778-779. (10.1111/bjd.21720)
- Hughes, O. and Hunter, R. 2022. The importance of exploring the role of anger in people with psoriasis [Research Letter]. JMIR Dermatology 5 (1) e33920. (10.2196/33920)
Book sections
- Hughes, O. and Thompson, A. R. 2025. Mindfulness and adjustment to skin conditions. In: Sirois, F. M. ed. The Palgrave Handbook of Positive Psychology and Health. London: Palgrave Macmillan. , pp.415-442. (10.1007/978-3-031-89095-6)
Thesis
- Hughes, O. 2023. Mindfulness-based online support for children and families affected by skin conditions. PhD Thesis , Cardiff University.
Research
My research interests include visible difference, psychodermatology, and long-term physcial health conditions.
I'm currently working on an NIHR funded project, led by Dr. Georgina Powell, investigating the use of smart home technology to support independent living for disabled adults.
Biography
Honours and awards
Postgraduate Education
2020 - 2023: Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology), School of Psychology, Cardiff University (Pass).
2019 - 2020: Master of Science (MSc) Clinical Psychology and Mental Health - Swansea University (Distinction).
Undergraduate Education
2016 - 2019: Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Counselling Studies and Psychology - University of Wales Trinity Saint David (First Class Honours).
Awards
2019: British Psychological Society Best Undergraduate Dissertation.
2019: Swansea University Taught Masters Excellence Scholarship.
Professional memberships
Membership
- Chartered Member of The British Psychological Society (CPsychol), and Associate Fellow Membership (AFBPsS).
- Mindfulness in Schools Project (MiSP) 'Teach Paws B' to 7-11 Year old Children: Qualified Teacher.
Academic positions
- 2026 - Present: Research Associate, School of Psychology and CARE, the Centre for Adult Social Care Research, Cardiff University.
- 2024 - 2026: Research Associate - School of Psychology, Cardiff University.
- 2020: Honorary Assistant Psychologist - Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery, Morriston Hospital, Swansea.
Speaking engagements
- October 2021: Co-delivered a workshop on the 'Psychological and Psychosocial Impact of Living with Ichthyosis' for the Ichthyosis Support Group.
Committees and reviewing
- August 2022 - Present: Patient Representative on the British Association of Dermatologists Biologics Intervention Register (BADBIR) Steering Committee
- October 2021 - Present: Patient Associate Editor for the British Journal of Dermatology
- January 2018 - Present: Trustee to Skin Care Cymru