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School of Psychology: academic staff

DR. KIRAN SARMA.

Lecturer in Psychology

School of Psychology, NUIGalway
Clinical Doctorate Programme
Floor 2
Woodquay Court
Galway
Ireland
Telephone (+353) 091 495715
E-mail kiran.sarma

Dr. Kiran Sarma BA (App. Psych), MSc (App. Forensic Psychology), PhD (App. Psychology), Chartered Psychologist.

Kiran is a graduate (BA, PhD) of the Department of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, and the School of Psychology, University of Leicester (MSc Applied Forensic Psychology). Prior to taking up post at NUI Galway he worked with An Garda Síochána as a lecturer in forensic psychology and crime and policy analyst (2000-2004). Kiran joined the team at NUI, Galway in 2007, with responsibility for lecturing and coordinating clinical research methods on the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. At undergraduate level Kiran lectures in the areas of social, forensic, clinical and abnormal psychology and he is research active in each of these areas. Kiran sits on Academic Council at NUI Galway.

Research Interests
Teaching
Publications
Notable recent presentations
Recent grant activity
Doctoral students

Research Interests

Area 1: Social Forensic Psychology.

Kiran is interested in the psychology of risk-taking behaviour and has published research and presented on terrorism, support for terrorism, firearms suicide, policing, victimisation, repeat victimisation, restorative justice and drug, alcohol and tobacco misuse. Currently he is lead investigator on a Road Safety Authority (RSA) funded projected examining the psychology of risky driving behaviour among young adults in Ireland (2010-2013). On a second stream in this area, Kiran is examining the psychology of support for terrorism. Kiran is interested in hearing from potential PhD candidates who may with to pursue research in these areas (risk-taking and terrorism/support for terrorism) at doctoral level.

Area 2: Clinical and Clinical-Forensic Psychology.

Kiran is responsible for clinical research coordination on the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. He specialises in clinical/forensic research design and project evaluation/service evaluation. Since 2007 he has supervised doctoral research on forensic and clinical populations (details below) and is co-principle investigator on a Irish Hospice Foundation funded RCT for spouses with complicated grief (2010-2013, with Dr. Brian McGuire). He competed project management training (NUI Galway) and has conducted, advised on, and supervised project evaluations and service evaluations (and audits) for the health services (HSE and Brothers of Charity), Focus Ireland, Engineers Ireland and Belong To (funded by the National Office for Suicide Prevention). Kiran is a member of the Mental Health Tribunals as administered by the Mental Health Commission (2007-2013).

Member: Clinical, Behavioural and Biological Psychology and Psychology and Health research clusters, School of Psychology.

Teaching

PS655. Clinical Research Methods (Clinical Doctorate Programme)
PS428. Social Psychology (2nd Year undergraduate programme)
PS427. Clinical, Forensic and Abnormal Psychology (2nd Year undergraduate programme)

Publications

Books.

McGuire, B., Sarma, K., O Hora, D. (Eds.). (2011). Psychology in Action. Special issue of The Irish Journal of Psychology, 32 (1-2).

Sarma, K., & Livings, B. (Eds.). (2012, in press). Evil, Law and State. NL: Rodopi.

Journal articles and book chapters.

Sarma, K. M., Carey. R., Kervick, A & Bimph, Y. (2013, In Press). Psychological factors associated with indices of risky, reckless and cautious driving in a national sample of drivers in the Republic of Ireland. Accident Analysis and Prevention.

Sarma. K. (2013, In Press). Policing terrorism through informers: Lessons from Northern Ireland. In Dilip Dass, Austin Turk and James Ross (Eds.), Policing Terrorism, Taylor and Francis: London.

Byrne, C., Walsh, J., Kola, S., Sarma, K. M. (2012). Predicting intention to uptake H1N1 influenza vaccine in a university sample. British Journal of Health Psychology. 11, (13), pp. 582-595.

Lydon, K., Dunne, F., Owens, L., Avalos, G., Sarma, K. M., O Connor, C., Nestor, L & McGuire, B. (2012, In Press). Psychological stress associated with diabetes during pregnancy: A pilot study. Irish Medical Journal.

McHugh, P., Sarma, K. M., & Byrne, M. (2012, In Press). Evaluating clinical services within the health system: An introduction. The Irish Psychologist.

Kenny, C., Egan, J., & Sarma, K. M. (2012, In Press). An interpretative phenomenological account of the experiences of family carers of the elderly. Irish Journal of Psychology.

Egan, R., Sarma, K. M., & O Neill, M. (2012). Factors influencing perceived effectiveness in dealing with self-harming patients in a sample of emergency department staff. The Journal of Emergency Medicine, X(X), pp. 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2012.01.049.

McGuire, B., O'Hora, D & Sarma, K. (2011). Psychology in Action. The Irish Journal of Psychology (Special Issue, Psychology in Action), 32 (1-2), pp. 2-3. doi: 10.1080/03033910.2011.621730

Carey, R., & Sarma, K. M. (2011). The impact of threat appeal messages on risky driving intentions: A Terror Management Theory perspective. In Communication, Media, and Road Safety Messages, a special issue of the Journal of the Australasian College of Road Safety. 22(4), 51-57. Get it here.

Dooley, M., Nolan, A., & Sarma, K. M. (2011). The psychological impact of male factor infertility and fertility treatment on men: A qualitative study. Irish Journal of Psychology, 32, 1(2), 14-24. doi: 10.1080/03033910.2011.611253 Get it here.

Kilroy, S., Nolan, E., Sarma, K. M. (2011). An examination of the quality of life and level of anxiety in youths with Inflammatory Bowel. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition, 53(3), 275-279. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0b013e318214c131. Get it here.

Raftery, M., Sarma, K. M., Murphy, A., De la Harpe, D., Normand, C., and McGuire, B. (2011). Chronic pain in the Republic of Ireland - community prevalence, psychosocial profile and predictors of pain-related disability: Results from the PRIME study, Part 1. PAIN, 152 (5), 1096-1103. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2011.01.019. Get it here.

Dowd, H., Sarma, K., & Byrne, M . (2011). A profile of psychologists' workload in Ireland. Clinical Psychology Forum, 223, 42-46. Get it here.

Sarma, K, Griffin, D & Kola, S. (2010). Firearms assisted suicide in Ireland: Legislative, policing and clinical concerns. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine. 17(1), 33-37. doi: 10.1016/j.jflm.2009.07.009. Get it here.

Sarma, K & Kola, S. (2010). Firearms suicide decedents in the Republic of Ireland, 1980-2005. Public Health. 124 (5), 278-283. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2010.02.018. Get it here.

Sarma, K. (2010). Firearms, hanging and drowning suicides in the Republic of Ireland, CRISIS: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention. 31(2), 69-75. doi:10.1027/0227-5910/a000016. Get it here.

Sarma, K & Kola, S. (2010). The socio-demographic profile of hanging suicides in Ireland from 1980 to 2005. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine. 17 (7), 374-377 doi:10.1016/j.jflm.2010.08.010. Get it here.

Carey, R & Sarma, K. (2010, Oct. 15). Advising young risk-takers against actions. Irish Medical Times, p. 40. Get it here.

Sarma, K. (2010). A psychosocial perspective on support for terrorism in the wake of an attack. In Bob Brecher (Ed.), The New Order of War (pp. 201-219), Rodopi: NL. Get it here.

Sarma, K. (2009). Informers and the battle against the IRA: The plight of the Informer in Northern Ireland. S. Dam & J. Hall (Eds), Inside and Outside of the Law (pp. 213-219). Oxford: Inter-Disciplinary Press . Get it here.

Sarma, K. (2008). Mental Disorder and access to firearms in Ireland. Irish Journal of Psychology, 3-4, 241-251.

Sarma, K. (2007). Drug use among LGBT young adults: Results of an exploratory study. Youth Studies Ireland, 2(2), 35-48. Get it here.

Sarma, K. (2007). Defensive Propaganda and IRA Political Control in Republican Communities. Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, 30, 1073 - 1094. DOI: 10.1080/15614260500121161 . Get it here

Sarma, K. (2007). Drug use among LGBT young adults. Dublin: Pobal.

Sarma, K., Doyle, E., & Mc.Mahon, M. (2007). Attitudes towards Justice and Equality in Ireland. Unpublished report commissioned by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Dublin.

Sarma, K. (2005). Informers and the Battle against republican terrorism: A review of 30 years of struggle. In Austin T. Turk (Ed.), Policing Revolutionary and Secessionist Violence [Special Issue], Police Practice and Research: An International Journal, 6 (2), 165-180. DOI: 10.1080/15614260500121161. Get it here.

Sarma, K. (2004). Measuring the immeasurable? Victimisation and the gay and lesbian community in Ireland. Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies, 51, 110-118.

Sarma, K. (2004). Crime after crime : Repeat victimsiation in Ireland. Communique: The Garda Management Journal, September, pp.34-43.

Sarma, K., Walker, M., Ryan, W., & Brown, C. (2004). Tobacco, Alcohol and Drug Misuse in Waterford/Kilkenny and Kerry Garda Divisions. Irish Journal of Education, 43, 80-87.

Sarma, K. (2003). Repeat Victimisation in Ireland. Irish Journal of Psychology, 24(3-4), 87-117.
Horgan, J., Taylor, M., & Sarma, K. (1999). Towards a Psychology of Surveillance’. The Police Journal, 2 (April-June), 161-170.

Notable Recent Presentations

ATTRACTING AWARDS/KEYNOTES

Dowd, H., Hogan, M., McGuire, B & Sarma, K. M (2011). The effectiveness of an on-line, mindfulness-based, cognitive behaviour intervention for a heterogeneous chronic pain population. Irish Pain Society11th Annual Scientific Meeting, Dublin 2011 [Poster] Prize winner.

Healy, G. M., Finn, D. P., O Gorman, D. A., Raftery, M., Ruane, N., Sarma, K., McGuire, B. E. (2010). Mood, pain acceptance and pain beliefs differentiate treament responders from non-responders to trigger point therapy for myofascial pain, Irish Pain Conference, Dublin, Oct ( PRIZE BEST PAPER).

Lydon, K., McGuire, B., Owens, L., Avalos, G., Sarma, K., O Connor, C., Nestor, L., & Dunne, F. (2010). Atlantic DIP: Stress and anxiety associated with pregnancy: A comparision of women with established disbetes, gestational diabetes, and those without diabetes. CROI national conference, Oct. (PRIZE BEST PAPER).

Sarma, K. (2009, keynote) . The psychology of support for terrorism. Psychologie des Terrorismus, July 21-25, Bonn, Germany.

Brady, C., Bates, U., Sarma, K., Byrne, M., & Greggan, P. (2008). Using psychological theory to inform the developemnt of an intervention for bereaved spouses with complicated grief. Paper presented at the Irish Association for Palliative Care Annual Education and Research Seminar ( PRIZE BEST PAPER).

Brady, C., Bates, U., Sarma, K., Byrne, M., & Greggan, P. (2009). The Development and Piloting of a CBT Group Intervention for Bereaved Spouses with Complicated Grief. Paper presented at the Irish Association of Palliative Care Conference ( PRIZE BEST PAPER).

Sarma, K. (2006, keynote). Terrorism and the Social Sciences: An Agenda for Research. Paper presented by invitation at Terrorism: An Agenda for Research, the Jill Dando Institute for Crime Science Seminar Series, 13th March.

Sarma, K. (2008, keynote). Drug use among LGBT young adults. The Waterford Drugs Information Conference, February 18-27, Waterford.

OTHERS
Carey, R. N. & Sarma, K. M. (2010). Exploring the impact of mortality salience and personality on dangerous driving intentions: A Terror Management Theory perspective. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Psychological Society of Ireland, Athlone, Ireland, November, 2010.

Carey, R. N. & Sarma, K. M. (2011). Exploring the impact of mortality salience and personality on dangerous driving intentions: A Terror Management Theory perspective. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Northern Ireland branch of the British Psychological Society, Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, April, 2011.

Carey, R. N., Cashman, E. & Sarma, K. M. (2011). Examining the impact of mortality salient fear/threat appeals on intention to takre driving risks: A Terror Management Theory perspective. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Social Psychology branch of the British Psychological Society, Cambridge, UK, September, 2011.

Carey, R. N., McDermott, D. T. & Sarma, K. M. (2011). The impact of threat appeals on driver behaviour: A meta-analysis of experimental research 1990-2011. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Social Psychology branch of the British Psychological Society, Cambridge, UK, September, 2011.

Dowd, H., Hogan, M., McGuire, B., & Sarma, K.M. (2011). Online mindfulness and chronic pain: development and testing of a computerised mindfulness-based cognitive therapy intervention for a chronic pain population. Psychological Society of Ireland Annual Conference, Galway 2011

Dowd, H., Hogan, M., McGuire, B., & Sarma, K. M. (2011). Pilot testing of an online mindfulness-based cognitive therapy intervention for a chronic pain population. European Health Psychology Conference. Crete 2011 [Poster]

Recent Grant Activity

Sarma, K and O Hora, D. RISK:MONITOR. Phone app driver monitors: Technology acceptance and effectiveness in moderating driver behaviour. Funded by the Road Safety Authority (2012-2015).

Sarma, K. Risky driving behaviour by young male drivers in Ireland. Funded by the Road Safety Authority (2010-2013).
Sarma, K and McGuire, B. A RCT for spouses with complicated grief. Irish Hospice Foundation. (2010-2013).
McGuire, B., Murphy, A., Normand, C & D. de la Harpe. The prevalence, impact and cost of chronic benign pain in Ireland. HRB funded study, (as statistics advisor).
McGuire, B., Treacy, M., O’Brien, T., Dinneen, S., Dunne, F & Finn, D The burden of disease in painful diabetic neuropathy: Psychological and functional consequences (as statistics advisor).
McGuire, B., Finn, D., O’Gorman, D. A., & Ruane, N. The psychosocial profile of responders and non responders to trigger point injection therapy for myofascial pain. HRB Summer Scheme (as statistics advisor).
Sarma, K. (2007). Barriers to participation in criminal and equality law in Ireland. Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
Sarma, K. (2007). Drug, Tobacco and Alcohol misuse among LGBT young people. Funded by Pobal through BeLonG To.

Doctoral Students

Current students.
Begley, Cormac (Primary Supervisor). The Development and Validation of a Measure Assessing Gender Role Conflict in Male Adolescents (PhD, Commenced 2008). Funded by the IRCHSS.
Carey, Rachel. (Primary Supervisor). Risky driving behaviour among young males – understanding resilience to road safety campaigns (PhD, Commenced 2010). Funded by the Road Safety Authority.
Daly, Siobhan. (Primary Supervisor). Children’s experiences of having a parent ’come out’ later in life. (PhD part-time, commenced 2009)
O Flanagan, Susan. (Co-supervisor, with Dr. Brian McGuire and Dr. Ursula Bates). A randomised controlled trial for spouses with complicated grief. Funded by the Irish Hospice Foundation (PhD, Commenced 2010). Funded by the Irish Hospice Foundation.

Past students.
Brady, C (Co-supervisor with Dr. Ursula Bates). The Development and Piloting of a CBT Group Intervention for Bereaved Spouses with Complicated Grief (D. Psych, Sc, Completed 2008).
Concannon, Alex (Primary Supervisor). Examining the predicative utility of the parent and youth versions of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Pediatric Symptom Checklist for use for screening for children's. emotional and behavioural difficulties in the Irish Primary Care context (D. Psych, Sc, Completed, 2008).
Coyle, S. (Primary Supervisor). Predictors of social-emotional difficulties in clinical and non-clinical samples (D. Psych, Sc, Completed, 2010).
Dowd, H. (co-supervisor, with Dr. Michael Hogan and Dr. Brian McGuire). An exploration of the feasibility and efficacy of an on-line mindfullness CBT intervetion for chronic pain (D. Psych. Sc, Completed, 2010).
Egan, R (co-supervisor, with Dr. Meena O Neill). Predictors of Emergency Department Staff Attitudes Towards Self-Harm and Suicidal Behaviour (D. Psych, Sc, Completed, 2008).
Lonergan, E (co-supervisor, with Dr. John Bogue). An Exploratory Study of Problem Behaviours, Cognitive Distortions, and Criminal Thinking Styles, in a Sample of Incarcerated Juvenile Offenders in Ireland (D. Psych. Sc, Completed, 2008).
Murphy, E (Co-supervisor with Dr. Caroline Heary). An Examination of Parent's and Teacher's Perception of an Individual Child's Condition of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (D. Psych, Sc, Completed, 2008).
O Sullivan, D. (Primary Supervisor). Attribution style as a predictor of depression in a Irish forensic sample (D. Psych. Sc, Completed, 2010).

Whelan, A (Primary Supervisor). Child and family predictors of anxiety for children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities: an Irish study based on parent report (D. Psych. Sc, Completed, 2008).

School of Psychology
National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland.
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This page was last updated Sunday, September 16, 2012