Staff Profile
Jessica Duffy
Postgraduate Researcher and Technical Demonstrator
My PhD research focuses on investigating self-related biases in anxiety, with the end goal of developing an intervention. Specifically, I am exploring two primary aspects:
1. How anxiety impacts an individual’s self-concept.
2. The effectiveness of self-related interventions in reducing anxiety disorder symptomology.
My supervisors are Dr Jennifer Shevchenko, Dr Scott Cole and Professor Divine Charura. I started my PhD in February 2022. Before this, I completed a Psychology MRes (2020) and a BSc (Hons) in Psychology (2018), both at York St John University.
In my role as a technical demonstrator, I provide training on the use of specialist Psychology equipment and software. I also contribute to teaching on statistics, research methods and cognitive psychology modules.
- School – School of Education, Language and Psychology
- Email – j.duffy@yorksj.ac.uk
Research
Current Projects
Self-Satisfaction and Anxiety: Exploring the Inter-related Dimensions of the Self
This project aims to explore how the dimensions of the self can interact and contribute to anxiety symptomology.
Reducing Anxiety Through Positive Imagery: Exploring the Benefits of Best-Self Interventions
This project aims to investigate the effectiveness of self-related interventions in reducing anxiety disorder symptomology.
Research Interests
Anxiety, Self-Concept, Prospection
Publications and conferences
Publications
Duffy, J., & Cole, S. N. (2021). Functions of spontaneous and voluntary future thinking: evidence from subjective ratings. Psychological Research, 85(4), 1583-1601. doi.org/10.1007/s00426-020-01338-9
Duffy, J., Cole, S.N., Charura, D., Shevchenko, J. (2024). Depression and looming cognitive style: Examining the mediating effect of perceived control. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports. 15, 2666-9153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2023.100698
Duffy, J., Salt, G., Cole, S.N., Charura, D., Shevchenko, J. (submitted). Anxiety and the Clarity of Future Self-Thoughts: Can the Future Influence Self-Esteem?
Conferences
Duffy, J., Forshaw, N., Laver-Fawcett, A. (October 2022). Dancing for Well-being: Impact of Weekly Dance Classes on Well-being of Older People. Poster presented at Eat. Sleep. Research. Repeat. Conference, York, UK.
Duffy, J., Cole, S.N., Charura, D., Shevchenko, J. (2022). Anxiety and Prospection. Presented at Autobiographical Memory and Psychopathology Conference, 17th-18th November.
Duffy, J., Cole, S.N., Charura, D., Shevchenko, J. (2023). Anxiety and Feared Possible Selves: Exploring the Characteristics and Perceived Dynamism of Future Self-Thoughts. Presented at the Special Interest Conference on Narrative Identity, Lille, France, 29th – 30th June.
Duffy, J., Cole, S.N., Charura, D., Shevchenko, J. (2023). Anxiety and the Clarity of Future-Self Threats: Can the Future Influence Self-Esteem? Presented at the Special Interest Conference on Future Thinking: 20 Years On, York St John University, UK, 2nd November.
