Dr Jenny Waite-Jones

Profile

I joined the University of Leeds in 1996 as a psychology lecturer specialising in health and child development. Having a background in sociology I have always adopted a psychosocial approach to my areas of research and teaching.  I am currently a visiting lecturer in the Department of Adult, Child and Mental Health Nursing. I obtained my PhD from the School of Psychology, University of Leeds in 2005. Before joining the University of Leeds I held a number of posts teaching psychology and sociology within the voluntary sector, schools, colleges and higher education. My past work with national charities helps inform my research into the relationships between health professionals and user/carers with specific emphasis on the psychosocial impact of long-term conditions during childhood, adolescence and adulthood on family life.

Research interests

I am particularly concerned with the application of family psychology and sociology to health issues. My research interests include using qualitative methods to explore the impact of childhood chronic conditions on family life and ways to reduce the effects of stress for children and adults diagnosed with arthritis. I have a special interest in the ways healthcare professionals can promote self-management for children and adults with chronic conditions, particularly through developing patient/professional partnerships, promoting peer-support and using mobile technology.

Qualifications

• PhD Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Family Function
• MSc Applied Psychology
• BA (Hons) Psychology, Sociology and Philosophy
• PGCE (Leeds)

Professional memberships

• Previous ArthritisUK/Arthritis Care
• Previous member of The British Psychological Society
• Previous member of British Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology
• Previous member of the British Society for Teachers of Psychology