MARS
Mood and Anxiety Research in Sussex
A collaboration between the University of Sussex and Sussex Partnership NHS
Foundation Trust
The Mood and Anxiety Research in Sussex group is a collaboration between
researchers at the University of Sussex (US) and Sussex Partnership NHS
Foundation Trust (SPT). The aim of the group is to conduct research relevant to
developing mood and anxiety theory and clinical practice and to foster research
collaborations between the researchers in Sussex.
Current MARS Research
Current research projects within this theme include:

A qualitative study into information provision in Bipolar Disorder
Richard Bowskill (SPT) and Professor Rob Horne (SPT)

An examination of memories for traumatic birth, the utility of cognitive models of
PTSD, and biases in perception of infant emotion
Susan Ayers (US)

Working with service users to develop a group based intervention for chronic
worry, based on ‘mood as input’ theory,
Graham Davey (US), Fergal Jones (SPT) and Ruth Chandler (SPT)

Evaluating person-based cognitive therapy groups for chronic depression,
Clara Strauss (SPT), Paul Chadwick (Institute of Psychiatry) and Mark Hayward
(SPT & US)

Exploring the development and delivery of computer-aided therapies in mental
health
Kate Cavanagh (US)

Parental Anxiety: Cognitive-Behavioural Processes in the Intergenerational
Transmission of Fear to Children
Andy Field (US) and Sam Cartwright-Hatton (US)

Investigating emotional influences on psychophysiology and attention in social
anxiety
Yoko Nagai (SPT)

Mechanisms of Catastrophic worry: An investigation into the role of negative
mood, poor problem-solving confidence, and intolerance of uncertainty in worry
perseveration
Graham Davey (US) and Frances Meeten (US)

A study concerning depression rating scales
Tim Gale (SPT) and Sanjay Jain (SPT)

Negative mood and systematic processing in perseverative worry
Suzanne Dash (US) and Graham Davey (US)
MARS Events
We are planning to hold a launch event for the MARS theme towards the end of 2011
where there will be an opportunity to hear more about research projects in the group
and to explore research opportunities.
MARS Contacts
The theme is currently convened by Fergal Jones and Clara Strauss in Sussex
Partnership NHS Trust and by Graham Davey and Frances Meeten at the University
of Sussex.
Although MARS is currently primarily a collaboration between the University of
Sussex and Sussex Partnership Trust, dialogue with other potential collaborators
would be welcome. Please feel free to contact us if you would be interested in joining
the collaboration.
If you would like further information or are thinking of conducting research within the
Trust in this area Graham, Frances, Clara or Fergal would be very pleased to hear
from you. You can contact them at:
grahamda@sussex.ac.uk
f.m.meeten@sussex.ac.uk
fergal.jones@sussexpartnership.nhs.uk
clara.strauss@sussexpartnership.nhs.uk
MARS Websites
For up-to-date information about the MARS group and planned events please visit
our websites:
www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/clinical/rd
www.sussex.ac.uk/mars