Dr Antonia Ypsilanti PhD, MSc, BSc
Associate Professor in Cognitive Psychology/Psychobiology, Chair of Taught Programs Research Ethics, College of Social Sciences and Arts
Summary
I joined the department of Psychology, Sociology & Politics at Sheffield Hallam University in 2015 in the Psychology subject group. I have extensive teaching experience and have lead on various Departmental and College roles at SHU. Over the last five years, my research has been concerned with understanding emotional processes and how these affect decision-making and mental health in clinical and non-clinical populations. My expertise lies in understanding the interplay between emotion and cognition by utilizing novel methodological tools to inform relevant mental health promotion interventions. My research involves three main strands: Mental Health; Aging; and Risk-Taking Behaviours. I supervise numerous post graduate dissertations and I am the Director of Studies for two funded PhD students and I am a member of the supervision team for several self-funded students. I am the module leader for the elective Level 6 module "Social and Affective Neuroscience" and I teach in the MSc in Clinical/Cognitive Neuroscience.
About
Dr Ypsilanti is an Associate Professor in Cognitive Psychology/Psychobiology with a research focus on self-conscious emotions, particularly self-disgust, in lonely individuals and other psychological disorders, including anxiety disorders, insomnia, and depression. Her unique contribution is applying theories and research methods from cognitive psychology and neuroscience (e.g., lab-based E-prime measures; skin conductance and other physiological measures; EEG/ERPs, eye tracking) to empirically examine the nature, experience, and effects of self-disgust and loneliness. This has allowed her to produce high-quality research outputs, including the development of new measurement methodologies and theoretical advances in self-disgust research. Dr Ypsilanti also works on aging in two main areas. The first area is concerned with understanding emotional and cognitive mechanisms in older healthy adults, older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and patients with dementia. The second area of expertise examines the role of self-disgust in perceived (emotional) loneliness and associated mental health problems in older adults.
In 2018, together with Prof Ann Macaskill, they developed a University-wide initiative called "Grow+: Developing your strengths to the level level". Grow+ is a University-wide initiative within the "Shaping Futures" strategic priority of Sheffield Hallam University that aims to make students confident, creative, resilient, and autonomous learners. In doing so, we have adopted a research-informed positive psychology approach to enhance students' skills and promote their mental health and well-being by focusing on developing key aspects of their character, also known as "signature strengths". Beginning with Psychology students in 2018, Grow+ project is now deployed to over 10 Departments across the University's colleges.
Dr Ypsilanti is the first appointed Chair of Taught Program Ethics in the College of Social Sciences and Arts.
Senior Lecturer
Teaching
Department of Psychology, Sociology and Politics
College of Social Sciences and Arts
I am the module leader of Social and Affective Neuroscience (Level 6) and I teach Cognitive Neuroscience Methods and Cognitive Neuroscience Dissertations at Masters level.
Cognitive Psychology / Psychobiology
Processes in Psychology;
Cognition in Action
Research
My research outputs on self-disgust, loneliness and mental health have attracted media attention both nationally and internationally. Most notably, one of my papers about the role of self-disgust in the development of depression was featured in Psychology Today, the leading and oldest US psychology magazine in the world: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201811/5-ways-keep-loneliness-turning-depression
In 2018 I participated in a panel of experts about the role of loneliness in community health and well-being in the context of a public engagement event organised by the British Science Association (BSA Sheffield Chapter). Also, since 2018 I am offering pro bono scientific advice to a UK company that is developing assistive technology applications to counter loneliness and promote well-being in senior citizens.
In terms of research funding, I am currently co-leading a collaborative bid from Innovate UK, Biomedical Catalyst feasibility and primer awards that focuses on testing a new biofeedback device developed by our industrial partners (SleepCogni).
Funded Projects:
1. Multiple physiological inputs to optimise real-time biofeedback through artificial intelligence to improve sleep in insomniacs Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst 2019 round 1: feasibility and primer awards
2. A serious Game Approach in Mitigating performance Enhancement culture in youth (Project GAME) European Commission - Erasmus+ - Sport - Collaborative partnerships
3. Developing Communities of Practice to Maximize the Usability and Impact of Clean Sport Education in Europe (IMPACT) Co-investigator European Commission - Erasmus+ - Sport - Collaborative partnerships
4. Successful Intergenerational Learning through Validation, Education & Research - SILVER project. (Life Long Learning-GRUNDTVIG)
Publications
Journal articles
Lazuras, L., Ypsilanti, A., & Mullings, E. (2024). The emotional burden of loneliness and its association with mental health outcomes. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 31 (3), 372-379. http://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-023-10255-1
Lazuras, L., Rowe, R., Ypsilanti, A., Smythe, I., Poulter, D., & Reidy, J. (2022). Driving self-regulation and risky driving outcomes. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 91, 461-471. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2022.10.027
Ypsilanti, A., & Lazuras, L. (2022). Loneliness is not a homogeneous experience: An empirical analysis of adaptive and maladaptive forms of loneliness in the UK. Psychiatry Research, 312. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114571
Akram, U., Allen, S., Stevenson, J., Lazarus, L., Ypsilanti, A., Ackroyd, M., ... Irvine, K. (2022). Self-Disgust as a Potential Mechanism Underlying the Association Between Body Image Disturbance and Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviours. Journal of Affective Disorders, 297, 634-640. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.10.063
Ypsilanti, A., Mullings, E., Hawkins, O., & Lazuras, L. (2021). Feelings of Fear, Sadness, and Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from two studies in the UK. Journal of Affective Disorders, 295, 1012-1023. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.08.031
Ypsilanti, A., Gettings, R., Lazuras, L., Robson, A., Powell, P.A., & Overton, P.G. (2020). Self-Disgust Is Associated With Loneliness, Mental Health Difficulties, and Eye-Gaze Avoidance in War Veterans With PTSD. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 559883. http://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.559883
Akram, U., Ypsilanti, A., Gardani, M., Irvine, K., Allen, S., Akram, A., ... Lazuras, L. (2020). Prevalence and psychiatric correlates of suicidal ideation in UK university students. Journal of Affective Disorders, 272, 191-197. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.03.185
Akram, U., Gardani, M., Irvine, K., Allen, S., Ypsilanti, A., Lazuras, L., ... Akram, A. (2020). Emotion dysregulation mediates the relationship between nightmares and psychotic experiences: Results from a student population. npj Schizophrenia, 6, 15. http://doi.org/10.1038/s41537-020-0103-y
Taroyan, N.A., Butnicu, B., Ypsilanti, A., & Overton, P.G. (2020). Individual Differences in Performance Speed Are Associated With a Positivity/Negativity Bias. An ERP and Behavioral Study. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 14, 7. http://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2020.00007
Ypsilanti, A., Robson, A., Lazuras, L., Powell, P.A., & Overton, P.G. (2020). Self-disgust, loneliness and mental health outcomes in older adults: An eye-tracking study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 266, 646-654. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.01.166
Pavlidis, G., Downs, C., Kalinowski, B., Zwiatek-Barylska, I., Lazuras, L., Ypsilanti, A., & Tsatali, M. (2020). A survey on the training needs of caregivers in five European countries. Journal Of Nursing Management. http://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12940
Akram, U., Akram, A., Gardani, M., Ypsilanti, A., McCarty, K., Allen, S., & Lazuras, L. (2019). The relationship between depression and insomnia symptoms amongst a sample of UK university students. Sleep medicine research, 10 (1), 49-53. http://doi.org/10.17241/smr.2019.00332
Lazuras, L., Rowe, R., Poulter, D.R., Powell, P.A., & Ypsilanti, A. (2019). Impulsive and Self-Regulatory Processes in Risky Driving Among Young People: A Dual Process Model. Frontiers in Psychology, 10. http://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01170
Akram, U., Ypsilanti, A., Drabble, J., & Lazuras, L. (2019). The role of physical and behavioural self-disgust in relation to insomnia and suicidal ideation. Journal of clinical sleep medicine, 15 (3), 525-527. http://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.7698
Ypsilanti, A., Lazuras, L., Powell, P., & Overton, P. (2019). Self-disgust as a potential mechanism explaining the association between loneliness and depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 243, 108-115. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.09.056
Ypsilanti, A. (2018). Lonely but avoidant—the unfortunate juxtaposition of loneliness and self-disgust. Palgrave Communications, 4 (1). http://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-018-0198-1
Vivas, A., Ypsilanti, A., Ladas, A., Estévez, A.F., Kounti, F., & Magda Tsolaki, M. (2018). Enhancement of visuospatial working memory by the differential outcomes procedure in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 10, 364. http://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2018.00364
Akram, U., Milkins, B., Ypsilanti, A., Reidy, J., Lazuras, L., Stevenson, J., ... Barclay, N.L. (2018). The therapeutic potential of attentionalbias modification training for insomnia: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials, 19. http://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-018-2937-4
Lazuras, L., Ypsilanti, A., Powell, P., & Overton, P. (2018). The roles of impulsivity, self-regulation, and emotion regulation in the experience of self-disgust. Motivation and Emotion, 1-14. http://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-018-9722-2
Ypsilanti, A., Lazuras, L., Robson, A., & Akram, U. (2018). Anxiety and depression mediate the relationship between self-disgust and insomnia disorder. Sleep Health, 4 (4), 349-351. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleh.2018.06.001
Akram, U., Robson, A., & Ypsilanti, A. (2018). Sleep-related attentional bias for faces depicting tiredness in insomnia: evidence from an eye-tracking study. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 14 (06), 959-965. http://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.7160
Akram, U., Beattie, L., Ypsilanti, A., Reidy, J., Robson, A., Chapman, A.J., & Barclay, N.L. (2018). Sleep-related attentional bias for tired faces in insomnia: Evidence from a dot-probe paradigm. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 103, 18-23. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2018.01.007
Lazuras, L., Ypsilanti, A., Lamprou, E., & Kontogiorgis, C. (2017). Pharmaceutical cognitive enhancement in Greek university students: differences between users and non-users in social cognitive variables, burnout and engagement. Substance Use and Misuse, 52 (7), 950-958. http://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2016.1267223
Räisänen, T., Ypsilanti, A., Ropes, D., Vivas, A.B., Viitala, M., & Ijäs, T. (2014). Examining the requirements for an intergenerational learning game. Education and Information Technologies, 19 (3), 531-547. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-014-9324-x
Ypsilanti, A., Vivas, A.B., Räisänen, T., Viitala, M., Ijäs, T., & Ropes, D. (2014). Are serious video games something more than a game? A review on the effectiveness of serious games to facilitate intergenerational learning. Education and Information Technologies, 19 (3), 515-529. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-014-9325-9
Ypsilanti, A., Hatzitaki, V., & Grouios, G. (2009). Lateralized effects of hand and eye on anticipatory postural adjustments in visually guided aiming movements. Neuroscience letters, 462 (2), 121-124. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2009.06.044
Ypsilanti, A., Ganou, M., Koidou, I., & Grouios, G. (2008). Digit ratio (2D:4D) in individuals with intellectual disability: investigating the role of testosterone in the establishment of cerebral lateralisation. Laterality, 13 (6), 527-544. http://doi.org/10.1080/13576500802117164
Ypsilanti, A., & Grouios, G. (2008). Linguistic profile of individuals with Down syndrome: comparing the linguistic performance of three developmental disorders. Child neuropsychology : a journal on normal and abnormal development in childhood and adolescence, 14 (2), 148-170. http://doi.org/10.1080/09297040701632209
Ypsilanti, A., Grouios, G., Zikouli, A., & Hatzinikolaou, K. (2006). Speed of naming in children with Williams and Down syndromes. Journal of intellectual & developmental disability, 31 (2), 87-94. http://doi.org/10.1080/13668250600710872
Ypsilanti, A., Grouios, G., Alevriadou, A., & Tsapkini, K. (2005). Expressive and receptive vocabulary in children with Williams and Down syndromes. Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR, 49 (Pt 5), 353-364. http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2788.2005.00654.x
Fotiadis, F., Grouios, G., Ypsilanti, A., & Hatzinikolaou, K. (2005). Hemiplegic shoulder syndrome: possible underlying neurophysiological mechanisms. Physical Therapy Reviews, 10 (1), 51-58. http://doi.org/10.1179/108331905x43445
Conference papers
Barikoukis, V., Tsiatsos, T., Politopoulos, N., Stylianidis, P., Ziagkas, E., Loukovitis, A., ... Antonia, Y. (2020). A Serious Game Approach in Mitigating Performance Enhancement Culture in Youth (GAME Project). In The Challenges of the Digital Transformation in Education, (pp. 733-742). Springer International Publishing: http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11932-4_68
Lazuras, L., Ypsilanti, A., Barkoukis, V., Stylianidis, P., Politopoulos, N., & Tsiatsos, T. (2020). Developing Communities of Practice to Maximize the Usability and Impact of Clean Sport Education in Europe: IMPACT Project. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, 1058-1064. http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-49932-7_99
Barkoukis, V., Tsiatsos, T., Politopoulos, N., Stylianidis, P., Ziagkas, E., Lazuras, L., & Ypsilanti, A. (2019). A Serious Game Approach in Anti-Doping Education: the Game Project. Proceedings of the 15th International Scientific Conference "eLearning and Software for Education" : New technology and redesigning learning spaces, 3, 451-455. http://doi.org/10.12753/2066-026X-19-200
Griva, E., Chostelidou, D., Ypsilanti, A., & Iliadou, S. (2014). Students Attending a Bilingual Primary School: A Record of a Language Biography. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 116, 1319-1323. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.01.390
Book chapters
Ropes, D., & Ypsilanti, A. (2016). A conceptual framework for managing intergenerational relations in the workplace. In Antoniou, A.-.S., Burke, R.J., & Cooper, C.L. (Eds.) The aging workforce handbook: individual, organizational and societal challenges. (pp. 299-322). Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing Limited: http://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/products/books/notable/page.htm?id=9781786354488
Theses / Dissertations
Robson, A.C. (2022). The disgusting self: developing and validating an implicit measure of self-disgust. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Ypsilanti, A., Lazuras, L., Reidy, J., Overton, P., & Powell, P. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00507
Presentations
Ypsilanti, A., Weston, A., & Lazouras, L. (2019). Self-disgust and self-compassion mediate the relationship between loneliness and mental health outcomes. Presented at: Emotions Conference, Tilburg, Netherlands
Ypsilanti, A., Donaldson, L., & Lazouras, L. (2019). Self-disgust mediates the relationship between stigmatization and mental health in individuals with cleft lip and palate.
Ypsilanti, A., Shaban, U., Darbishire, B., Serby, M., & Taroyan, N. (2018). Choosing your battles: Investigating positivity bias in older adults using a lexical decision task. Presented at: International Federation on Ageing 14th Global Conference, Toronto, Canada
Ypsilanti, A. (2018). Self-disgust mediates the relationship between loneliness and depression in adults. Presented at: British Psychological Society Annual Conference, East Midlands Conference Centre
Other activities
Member of the European Society of Cognitive Psychology (ESCOP).
Certified Neurofeedback Therapist (Atlantis Software) by the Institute of EEG Neurofeedback (IFEN), Germany.
Member of the editorial board and a reviewer of the Multilingual Academic Journal of Education and Social Sciences.
Organizing committee of the Conference by the Society of Applied Neurosciences in 2012
Organising and Scientific committee of the Student Spring Symposium of the International Faculty of the University of Sheffield.
RT3 Leader, 8th Annual South East European Doctoral Student Conference, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Media
Psychology