Dr Fiona Clements works with adults with eating disorders in the UK National Health Service (NHS).
In this episode, Fiona tells us about:
00:49 Her background and what she is doing now in the NHS. Starting a Doctorate in CyberPsychology looking at digital inclusion specifically in intellectual disabilities.
09:00 Fiona’s Doctorate journey, what got her started, what a Doctorate involves, what she focussed on, how that links into the article that was published, and what it is like to finish and the impact of the doctoral research.
13:32 What started the project that brought Fiona into the process of the Doctoral research.
15:53 The different types of Cyberbullying. The negative online interactions of: online content, online contact, online conduct and online contract risks.
20:17 The gap in knowledge that the research was trying to address. The different types and definitions of cyberbullying. How cyberbullying differs from offline bullying.
24:05 Harassment as the most common experience of cyberbullying amongst those with intellectual disabilities.
25:48 The impact of age on the type of cyberbullying that takes place and the lack of cyber related research amongst older adults who have intellectual disabilities.
28:17 The definition and examples of online harassment, how that differs from flaming and how the online cyberbullying relates to offline bullying. The increased proliferation of gadgets since Covid, and the similarity of technology use between those with and without intellectual disabilities.
31:49 Practical applications of research around the different types of cyberbullying amongst those with intellectual disabilities. Insights that facilitate the development of interventions to support people, so they are able to independently use technology and understanding what support is needed to navigate online risks and decision making that happens online.
37:17 Additional findings due to be published on ways to support those with intellectual disability who may be exposed to online risks. Inequalities amongst those with eating disorders and focussing on 3rd wave (compassion focussed) interventions and accessibility to this treatment.
50:23 The self-stigmatisation of cyberbullying linked to self-esteem. The differences in the type risks in relation to self-stigma and self vs others blaming.
52:23 Media’s sensationalising of academic research in a way that spreads misinformation and negative social narratives – to push their own agenda. The responsibility of academics to get research findings into the public domain in an understandable way and having to correct misinformation.
Counselling Psychologist (DCounsPsy)
Fiona’s Doctorate is from the University of Wolverhampton. Her MSc in Health Psychology at the University of Surrey.
She continues to be passionate about lived experience research with adults with developmental disabilities and their carers; specifically in the areas of cyberpsychology and health psychology.
Connect:
Get in touch at: fiona.clements@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk.
Explore her up-to-date research
Recommended Reading:
The Oxford Handbook of Cyberpsychology.