About
Professor Jane Simpson leads research at Lancaster University's Health Research Department, focusing on psychological experiences in neurodegenerative conditions. Her work examines self-disgust, emotion-cognition relationships, and resilience strategies in chronic illness, particularly Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases.
Her investigations span psychological adaptation to genetic risk, caregiver burdens, and mental health interventions. Current projects include studies on COVID-19 impacts and guided self-help therapies for anxiety in high-risk populations.
Recent publications demonstrate consistent focus on neurodegenerative psychology through systematic reviews and qualitative studies examining caregiver experiences, youth development in affected families, and symptom management. Methodological strengths include interpretative phenomenological analysis and meta-ethnography.
Projects:
- Guided self-help for anxiety among Huntington's disease gene carriers (2022-2024)
- Psychological impacts of COVID-19 restrictions on Parkinson's patients (2021-2022)
- Psychological guidance frameworks for motor neurodegenerative conditions (2018-2022)
She mentors PhD students in psychological aspects of chronic illness and contributes to the Centre for Ageing Research through seminars and international collaborations.
