Henrietta Roberts
Research Fellow
H.Roberts@exeter.ac.uk
Sir Henry Wellcome Building for Mood Disorders Research
Sir Henry Wellcome Building for Mood Disorders Research, University of Exeter, Queens Drive, Exeter, EX4 4QQ, UK
Overview
I am a Research Fellow working on two projects that focus on interventions to reduce rumination. The NIH funded RuMeChange clinical trial (Principal Investigators Ed Watkins and Scott Langenecker) evaluates the effectiveness of rumination-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (RFCBT) as an intervention to reduce rumination in adolescents at increased risk of depression. The trial examines neural and behavioural mechanisms of rumination, and the potential for RFCBT to shift these. The Wellcome Trust funded project "Understanding the mechanisms driving the reduction of repetitive negative thought" (Principal Investigator at Exeter Ed Watkins) seeks to delineate the causal mechanisms that underpin reductions in repetitive negative thought (worry and rumination) and what are the active ingredients in RFCBT that effectively manipulate these mechanisms, thereby reducing RNT.
Previous research projects that I have worked on include a clinical trial evaluating cognitive training for young people with acquired brain injury (Principal Investigator Anna Adlam), a proof-of-concept trial developing and evaluating a cognitive training intervention to reduce rumination in young people (co- Principal Investigator with Anna Adlam), and a cohort study of reward sensitivity and processing (Principal Investigator Barney Dunn). I worked as a Lecturer (Research Tutor) on the DClinPsy programme at Exeter from 2021-2023.
I completed my PhD in 2013, co-supervised by Ed Watkins and Andy Wills, which tested the hypothesis that rumination causes impairments to concurrent executive functioning. This involved developing novel approaches to inducing and measuring state rumination and examining the association between different types of rumination, and their relation to aspects of executive functioning. Prior to my PhD, I completed an MSc supervised by Heather O'Mahen, Huw Williams and Louise Pendry, which examined perceived and observed congnitive functioning during pregnancy.
Research keywords: Rumination, Depression, Goals, Executive functioning, Inhibition
Research group links
Research
Research interests
I am interested in the cognitive, emotional, and motivational mechanisms by which young people learn to ruminate or worry, and the factors that maintain repetitive negative thought (rumination and worry) during adulthood. I am especially interested in factors that determine whether rumination has helpful or unhelpful consequences, developing novel paradigms and approaches to measuring RNT and associated mechanisms, and the causes and consequences of these for self-regulation and mental health. This includes basic mechanistic research, and also the development and evaluation of preventive interventions.
I am also interested in the role of repetitive negative thought (rumination and worry) and goal-related factors (e.g., goal conflict, goal disengagement and re-engagement) in the onset, maintenance, and recovery from different mental health problems.
Research projects
Research fellow on the RuMe Change trial: Developing rumination-focused treatment to reduce risk for depression recurrence in adolescence (PIs Dr Ed Watkins and Dr Scott Langenecker).
Research fellow on the Wellcome Trust funded project "Understanding the mechanisms driving the reduction of repetitive negative thought" (Exeter PI Ed Watkins).
Research grants:
September 2019-October 2020. Moberly, N. J., Roberts, H., & Karl, A. Promotion/prevention focus and rumination: A multimethod approach. British Academy/Leverhulme Small Research Grant. £9,990.00.
November 2018 Morpeth, L, Limond, J, & Roberts, H. Bid-writing funds to evaluate Brain-in-Hand as an adjunct to psychological therapy for young people following a brain tumour. Set-Squared Scale-Up Programme. £7,500.
June 2014- May 2015 Adlam, A. & Roberts, H. Does working memory training reduce repetitive thinking (rumination and worry)? Wellcome Trust University of Exeter Institutional Strategic Support Fund. £17,394.