Dr Sabrina Meechem (She/her)

I am a mixed methods researcher at the Mood Disorders Centre using qualitative methods and co-creation to incorporate lived experience into a clinical trial to reduce rumination and repetitive negative thinking. This Wellcome Trust funded project “Understanding the mechanisms driving the reduction of repetitive negative thought” (Principal Investigator Ed Watkins) seeks to understand the casual mechanisms that underpin the effective reduction of repetitive negative thought which are known active ingredients within anxiety and depression, as well as other mental health conditions. This deeper understanding will help us to adapt current interventions to improve support and early intervention for those experiencing repetitive negative thinking.

Prior to this role at Exeter University, I worked as a researcher for the national charity SafeLives. Predominantly my research at SafeLives was focused on the qualitive exploration of how to improve access to support, and support itself, for young people who are starting to use abusive behaviours in their relationships. This work aimed to help up intervene before these become established patterns of behaviour. As well as this, I worked on the evaluation of a whole family support intervention for families affected by domestic abuse. I completed my PhD at the Centre for Appearance Research in 2023. My thesis focused on young people’s use of social networking sites, and the associations with body image, wellbeing, and psychosocial functioning.

I am particularly interested in qualitative methods within research. My research interest lies in various aspects of improving mental health, specifically early intervention and with adolescents.