I am a mature doctoral student with considerable experience of interviewing and data analysis. Having recently returned to study social and developmental psychology after a high level career in advertising and branding, I have a specific interest in lifespan psychology, especially the transition through mid-life.
My most recent research focused on women’s attitudes to their bodies during the menopause transition [Rubinstein, H.R. & Foster, J.L.H. (submitted) The Invisible Aging Woman: women’s attitudes towards the menopause and the relationship between these and self-image. The British Journal of Health Psychology] and my doctoral thesis is a comparison of the profiles of women who seek treatment during the menopause transition with those who do not. It may seem to be obvious that women who seek treatment are experiencing more severe and disruptive symptoms but it is by no means apparent that this is the case.
To date, in the UK there are only two investigations that directly compare treatment- seeking women with non-treatment -seeking women (Ballinger, 1985; Hunter, 1988). My earlier research indicated that some women were experiencing severe symptoms and had sought help whereas others were experiencing similarly severe symptoms but had avoided seeking treatment. Thus, the experience is not determined purely by biology.
Contact Details:
E-mail: hr272@cam.ac.uk
Tel: 07788 422682
Address: Department of Psychology, Free School Lane, Cambridge, CB2 3RQ