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Olivia Hughes   BA, MSc, PhD, CPsychol, AFBPsS

Dr Olivia Hughes

(she/her)

BA, MSc, PhD, CPsychol, AFBPsS

Research Associate

School of Psychology

Overview

I'm a chartered psychologist (CPsychol) and researcher in the field of psychodermatology. My work has focused on the psychological impact of childhood skin conditions on families. I'm currently working on a project funded by DEBRA UK, led by Professor Andrew Thompson and Dr Faith Martin, developing a self-help toolkit to support the wellbeing of parents of children with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). To read more about the project, see our researchers' blog on the DEBRA UK website. 

For more information about my research, please see the 'Research' and 'Publications' tabs.

Publication

2025

2024

2023

2022

Articles

Thesis

Research

My research interests include visible difference and the psychological impact of living with a skin condition (e.g. psoriasis, eczema, acne, vitiligo, ichthyosis, epidermolysis bullosa etc.). I'm passionate about raising awareness of the need for psychological support in routine dermatological care across the UK, including investigating the use of mindfulness-based interventions for supporting the well-being of families affected by rare skin conditions.

I've had several empirical studies published, including my undergraduate dissertation: stigma, social appearance anxiety and coping in men and women with skin conditions, and my masters dissertation: the experiences of anger in the onset and progression of psoriasis.

I've also had all of my doctoral research published from my thesis, including: (1) a systematic review of mindfulness-based interventions for children, adolescents, and their parents, (2) a qualitative study investigating the parent and child experience of skin conditions: relevance for the provision of mindfulness-based interventions (author video here),  (3) a qualitative study investigating healthcare professionals' views on psychosocial support for children and families affected by skin conditions in the UK, and (4) ‘Living in the Present’ mindfulness for parents of children with skin conditions: a single group case series.

I'm currently working on a project funded by DEBRA UK, led by Professor Andrew Thompson and Dr Faith Martin, developing a self-help toolkit to support the psychological wellbeing of parents of children with Epidermolysis Bullosa. More information about the project can be found on the DEBRA UK website, here. We also have recently written a researchers' blog about our work, which can be found here.

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

  • January 2024 - Present: Research Associate - School of Psychology, Cardiff University.
  • February - December 2020: Honorary Assistant Psychologist - Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery, Morriston Hospital, Swansea.

Speaking engagements

Committees and reviewing

Contact Details

Email HughesOA@cardiff.ac.uk

Campuses Tower Building, 70 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT

Research themes

Specialisms

  • Skin Conditions
  • Visible Difference
  • Psychodermatology
  • Mindfulness