Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Research Priorities for the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: A call to action for psychological science

O'Connor, D; Aggleton, J; Chakarabati, B; Cooper, C; Creswell, C; Dunsmuir, S; Fiske, S; Gathercole, S; Gough, B; Ireland, J; Jones, M; Jowett, A; Kagan, C; Karanika-Murray, M; Kaye, L; Kumari, V; Lewandowsky, S; Lightman, S; Malpass, D; Meins, E; Morgan, BP; Morrison Coulthard, L; Reicher, S; Schacter, D; Sherman, S; Simms, V; Williams, A; Wykes, T; Armitage, C

Research Priorities for the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: A call to action for psychological science Thumbnail


Authors

D O'Connor

J Aggleton

B Chakarabati

C Cooper

C Creswell

S Dunsmuir

S Fiske

S Gathercole

B Gough

J Ireland

M Jones

A Jowett

C Kagan

M Karanika-Murray

L Kaye

V Kumari

S Lewandowsky

S Lightman

D Malpass

E Meins

BP Morgan

L Morrison Coulthard

S Reicher

D Schacter

V Simms

A Williams

T Wykes

C Armitage



Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) that has caused the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic represents the greatest international biopsychosocial emergency the world has faced for a century, and psychological science has an integral role to offer in helping societies recover. The aim of this paper is to set out the shorter- and longer-term priorities for research in psychological science that will: (a) frame the breadth and scope of potential contributions from across the discipline; (b) enable researchers to focus their resources on gaps in knowledge; and (c) help funders and policy-makers make informed decisions about future research priorities in order to best meet the needs of societies as they emerge from the acute phase of the pandemic. The research priorities were informed by an expert panel convened by the British Psychological Society that reflects the breadth of the discipline; a wider advisory panel with international input; and a survey of 539 psychological scientists conducted early in May 2020. The most pressing need is to research the negative biopsychosocial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic to facilitate immediate and longer-term recovery, not only in relation to mental health, but also behaviour change and adherence, work, education, children and families, physical health and the brain, and social cohesion and connectedness. We call on psychological scientists to work collaboratively with other scientists and stakeholders, establish consortia, and develop innovative research methods while maintaining high quality, open and rigorous research standards.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jun 29, 2020
Online Publication Date Jul 19, 2020
Publication Date 2020-11
Journal British Journal of Psychology
Print ISSN 0007-1269
Electronic ISSN 2044-8295
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 111
Issue 4
Pages 603-629
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/bjop.12468
Keywords psychological science, psychology, pandemic, COVID-19, health, mental health, stress, trauma, education, human development, neuroscience, work, school, behaviour change, children, families
Publisher URL https://doi.org/10.1111/bjop.12468

Files





You might also like



Downloadable Citations