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Dr Victoria Senior

Senior Lecturer

Qualifications: BSc Hons (Edinburgh), MSc (Hull), PhD (London)

Email:
Phone: Work: 01483 68 6866
Room no: 28 AD 02

Office hours

Monday: 10 - 12 BSc, MSc, PhD (no appointment necessary)
Monday: BSc supervision (by appointment) 
Tuesday: PhD supervision (by appointment)
Thursday: MSc supervision  (by appointment) 

Further information

Research Interests

I am interested in how people make sense of a threat to their health and how these lay understandings of illness influence the actions that people take to manage or avoid an illness. The health psychology models that I generally employ are attribution theory and the self-regulatory model of illness (see Jane Ogden’s Health Psychology: A Textbook for more information about these models). My primary research interest is in risk communication in healthcare contexts.

My primary research interests are in communicating health risk information to both patients and the general public and how best to do this in order to change behaviour. I have conducted research on whether genetic testing for disease results in people becoming more fatalistic about their risk and less likely to engage in behaviours that may reduce their risk. The finding from a randomised controlled trial with people who have an inherited predisposition to high cholesterol levels putting them at risk of coronary heart disease suggested that they did not become more fatalistic. Rather the findings suggest that identifying predisposing genes may reinforce the belief that medication is the best way to treat the condition. The findings from this research are listed in the publications below. PDF versions of the PowerPoint conference presentations of these findings can be found here [vspres1][vspres2]

Related to this interest in genetic testing for disease, I have conducted research funded by the ESRC with colleagues in the School of Human Sciences on public attitudes to genomics. This research has its own webpage which can be found here [link to webpage]. In addition I have conducted research on communicating with patients undergoing nuclear medicine procedures with colleagues in the Psychology Department and at the Royal Surrey County Hospital. One aspect of this study was an analysis of the written information given to patients attending nuclear medicine departments nationally and a presentation of these findings can be found here [vspres3].

Currently I am particularly interested in the impact of using visual images for risk communication. For example, I have supervised student dissertations investigating the health warnings on cigarette packs and whether using visual images has more impact on people that the standard written health warnings. In patient groups, I am also investigating how patients with hypertension respond to seeing images of their carotid arteries. From the perspective of the self-regulation model of illness, we would expect patients who are shown evidence of atherosclerosis in their arteries to have a more coherent and concrete understanding of their disease and to be more motivated to engage in risk-reducing behaviours. Research on both of these topics is currently underway.

Research Collaborations

Shepherd R.S. (PI), Coyle A.G., Sturgis P., Barnett J., Fife-Schaw C., Senior V., & Moran-Ellis J. Understanding public attitudes to Genomics. ESRC, 2003 – 2006. 703k.

Barnett J. (PI), Shepherd R.S., Senior V., & Vincent, J. Communicating Uncertainty: Mobile Telecommunication Health Risks. Department of Health, 2004-2006.

Hinton P. (joint PI), Senior V. (joint PI), Greaves C., Barnett J., & Clark M. Information to accompany patients undergoing nuclear medicine procedures. HSE, 2004-2005

Cropley, M. (PI), Ogden, J., & Senior, V. Communicating with patients: User testing patient information sheets. Pfizer, 2006-2007.

Publications

Journal articles

  • Dawson I, Senior V, de Lusignan S. (2012) 'Perceptions of risk may explain the discrepancy between patient and clinician-recorded symptoms'. Elsevier Primary Care Respiratory Journal, 21 (2), pp. 124-126.
    doi: 10.4104/pcrj.2012.00024
  • Robjant K, Robbins I, Senior V. (2009) 'Psychological distress amongst immigration detainees: A cross-sectional questionnaire study'. BRITISH PSYCHOLOGICAL SOC BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, 48, pp. 275-286.
    doi: 10.1348/014466508X397007
  • Timotijevic L, Barnett J, Shepherd R, Senior V. (2009) 'Factors Influencing Self-Report of Mobile Phone Use: the Role of Response Prompt, Time Reference and Mobile Phone Use in Recall'. JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD APPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY, 23 (5), pp. 664-683.
    doi: 10.1002/acp.1496
  • Arroll MA, Senior V. (2009) 'Symptom Typology and Sub-grouping in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome'. IACFS/ME Bulletin of the IACFS/ME, 17 (2), pp. 39-52.
  • Senior V, Vrought A, Trebill H, Hesson N. (2008) 'Beliefs about the acceptability of smoking predict smokers' responses to the Smoking Ban in England'. TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD PSYCHOLOGY & HEALTH, 23, pp. 23-24.
  • Arroll MA, Senior V. (2008) 'Individuals’ Experience of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis'. Taylor & Francis Psychology and Health, 23 (4), pp. 443-458.
    doi: 10.1080/14768320701246469
    Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/726587/

    Abstract

    Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is a condition of unknown aetiology that consists of symptoms such as fatigue, muscle and joint pain, gastric problems and a range of neurological disturbances. Due to the fact that these symptoms are complaints that most individuals will experience to a varying degree, it seems pertinent to investigate the processes by which those with CFS/ME conceptualise their symptoms and the experience of reaching a diagnosis. Participants were recruited from local CFS/ME support groups. Eight semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted and transcribed, and the verbatim transcriptions were analysed according to interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Six distinct themes were uncovered that illustrated the participants’ experience and perception of their symptoms. These included symptomatology and illness course, interference with daily and working life, frequency of symptoms, external information, diagnosis and treatment. The findings were discussed in terms of internal and external cues related to symptom perception and the discovery that the possession of a diagnosis did not necessarily signify the end of the journey.

  • Barnett J, Cooper H, Senior V. (2007) 'Belief in public efficacy, trust, and attitudes toward modern genetic science'. BLACKWELL PUBLISHING RISK ANALYSIS, 27 (4), pp. 921-933.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1539-6924.2007.00932.x
  • Senior V, Marteau TM. (2007) 'Causal attributions for raised cholesterol and perceptions of effective risk-reduction: Self-regulation strategies for an increased risk of coronary heart disease'. TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD PSYCHOLOGY & HEALTH, 22 (6), pp. 699-717.
    doi: 10.1080/14768320601020253
  • Barnett J, Timotijevic L, Shepherd R, Senior V. (2007) 'Public responses to precautionary information from the Department of Health (UK) about possible health risks from mobile phones'. ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD HEALTH POLICY, 82 (2), pp. 240-250.
    doi: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2006.10.002
  • Shepherd R, Barnett J, Cooper H, Coyle A, Moran-Ellis J, Senior V, Walton C. (2007) 'Towards an understanding of British public attitudes concerning human cloning'. PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE, 65 (2), pp. 377-392.
    doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2007.03.018
  • Shepherd R, Barnett J, Cooper H, Coyle A, Moran-Ellis J, Senior V, Walton C. (2006) 'UK public attitudes to reproductive and therapeutic human cloning.'. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 13 (Supplement)
  • Humphries SE, Cranston T, Allen M, Middleton-Price H, Fernandez MC, Senior V, Hawe E, Iversen A, Wray R, Crook MA, Wierzbicki AS. (2006) 'Mutational analysis in UK patients with a clinical diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia: relationship with plasma lipid traits, heart disease risk and utility in relative tracing'. Journal of Molecular Medicine-Jmm, 84 (3), pp. 203-214.
    doi: 10.1007/s00109-005-0019-z
  • Senior V, Barnett J, Cooper H. (2005) 'In science we trust? The influence of trust and information presentation on attitudes to gene patenting and cloning'. TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD PSYCHOLOGY & HEALTH, 20, pp. 245-245.
  • French DP, Marteau TM, Senior V, Weinman J. (2005) 'How valid are measures of beliefs about the causes of illness? The example of myocardial infarction'. Psychology & Health, 20 (5), pp. 615-635.
    doi: 10.1080/14768320500083600
  • Shennan A, Jones G, Hawken J, Crawshaw S, Judah J, Senior V, Marteau T, Chinn S, Poston L. (2005) 'Fetal fibronectin test predicts delivery before 30 weeks of gestation in high risk women, but increases anxiety'. Bjog-an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 112 (3), pp. 293-298.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2004.00420.x
  • Senior V, Marteau TM, Weinman J. (2004) 'Self-reported adherence to cholesterol-lowering medication in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia: The role of illness perceptions'. SPRINGER CARDIOVASCULAR DRUGS AND THERAPY, 18 (6), pp. 475-481.
    doi: 10.1007/s10557-004-6225-z
  • Marteau T, Senior V, Humphries SE, Bobrow M, Cranston T, Crook MA, Day L, Fernandez M, Horne R, Iversen A, Jackson Z, Lynas J, Middleton-Price H, Savine R, Sikorski J, Watson M, Weinman J, Wierzbicki AS, Wray R. (2004) 'Psychological impact of genetic testing for familial hypercholesterolemia within a previously aware population: A randomized controlled trial'. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A, 128A (3), pp. 285-293.
    doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.30102
  • Senior V, Weinman J, Marteau TM. (2002) 'The influence of perceived control over causes and responses to health threats: A vignette study'. BRITISH PSYCHOLOGICAL SOC BRITISH JOURNAL OF HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY, 7, pp. 203-211.
    doi: 10.1348/135910702169448
  • Marteau TM, Senior V, Humphries S. (2002) 'Impact on perceived control and risk-reducing behaviour of genetic testing for familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH): a randomised controlled trial'. European Journal of Human Genetics, 10, pp. 306-307.

Conference papers

  • Senior V, Barnett J, Coyle A, Fife-Schaw C, Moran-Ellis J, Shepherd R, Sturgis P. (2003) 'Psychological and social processes underlying public attitudes towards genomics.'. Psychology, Sociology: Proceedings of the British Psychological Society 11(2)
  • Shepherd R, Barnett J, Cooper H, Coyle A, Fife-Schaw C, Moran-Ellis J, Senior V, Sturgis P. (2003) 'Public attitudes towards advances in genomics.'. Bournemouth: Proceedings of the British Psychological Society 12

Book chapters

  • Barnett J, Timotijevic L, Shepherd R, Senior V, Vincent J. (2006) 'Understanding of the precautionary principle: 'no smoke without fire' or better safe than sorry?'. in C.del Pozo , D. Papameletiou , P. M. Wiedemann , Ravazzani P (eds.) Risk Perception and Risk Communication: Tools, Experiences and Strategies in Electromagnetic Fields Exposure Brussels : European Commission , pp. 123-127.

Reports

  • BMRB Social Research , Food, Consumer Behaviour and Health Research Centre at the University of Surrey . (2008) Comprehension and use of UK nutrition signpost labelling schemes: Scientific Rationale and Design. London : Food Standards Agency

Other publications

  • Senior V, Cropley M. (2007) Genetic testing and stress. Chapter in . 2nd Edition, Academic Press: Oxford. . California: Elsevier inc. Oxford : Academic Press

Teaching

I am the Course Director for the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Psychology Practice, the module convenor for M12: Chronic Conditions which is a core component of the MSc in Health Psychology and for the Health Psychology Module taken by final year undergraduate students. I am also a member of the Health Psychology Research Group. I supervise undergraduate, MSc, PsychD, and PhD students and trainees.

Affiliations

Chartered Psychologist 

Full member of the British Psychological Society's Division of Health Psychology 

HPC registered Health Psychologist (Registration No PYL20860)