Research
Effects of social interactions on pain
I am interested in understanding the psychological and neurobiological mechanisms by which social interactions influence the experience of pain. In my research, I use methods from experimental psychology and social cognitive neuroscience to investigate the effects of different types of social interactions (e.g., the presence of a romantic partner, receiving pleasant touch etc.) on pain. I measure pain report and also pain-related neural responses using electroencephalography (EEG). I also explore the role individual differences in shaping the effects of social interactions on pain. I have focused on personality differences in how people perceive social relationships, namely attachment style, and have also developed a novel questionnaire to capture individual differences in responses and attitudes to social support during pain (the RASP). I completed my PhD in this area in 2014 and continue to collaborate with colleagues at University College London (http://www.fotopoulou.com) and King's College London.
Cognitive biases in anxiety and depression
In my research, I am interested in understanding how cognitive biases contribute to the maintenance of repetitive negative thinking in anxiety and depression. In particular, I have focused on interpretation bias, that is, the tendency to jump to negative conclusions in the face of relatively ambiguous information. Together with researchers in the CEDAR group at King's College London, I carry out research to understand how interpretation bias keeps worry and rumination going. We look at behavioural and neurophysiological correlates of interpretation bias in relation to repetitive negative thinking. Furthermore, we have developed novel online interventions to change interpretation bias (i.e., promote a more positive interpretive style) and reduce repetitive negative thinking as well as symptoms of anxiety and depression.