Professor Mark Wetherell

Mark is a specialist in the psychobiological causes and consequences of stress and much of his research concerns exploring the psychobiological pathways through which psychological (e.g., stress) and behavioural (e.g., illicit drug use, lifestyle) factors can lead to deleterious effects on aspects of health, well-being and performance.  In other words, how stress gets inside the body and why it has different effects on different people. He has worked with a range of clinical (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, IBS, chronic fatigue), occupational (e.g., medical professionals, firefighters, frontline care staff, prison officers, police force), sports (e.g., elite rowers, rugby and football teams), and healthy populations, and has a particular interest in individuals experiencing chronic stress (e.g., parent carers and careworkers of individuals with behaviours that challenge). His research involves a range of psychological and biological (nervous, endocrine and immune systems) methods, and he has developed novel, ecologically valid techniques for assessing the basal functioning and acute activation of psychobiological pathways in ambulatory and laboratory settings. Many of the populations he works with would benefit from participation in stress-reduction interventions; however, their situations often make it difficult to participate or maximise their benefits.  Mark’s work also involves the development of bespoke interventions that are more easily accessible by individuals experiencing chronic stress.

• Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
• The Effect of Socially Evaluated Multitasking Stress on Typing Rhythms, Wetherell, M., Lau, S., Maxion, R. 1 Aug 2023, In: Psychophysiology
• Positive expressive writing as a tool for alleviating burnout and enhancing wellbeing in teachers and other full-time workers, Round, E., Wetherell, M., Elsey, V., Smith, M. 31 Dec 2022, In: Cogent Psychology
• Evaluation and update of the expert consensus guidelines for the assessment of the cortisol awakening response (CAR), Stalder, T., Lupien, S., Kudielka, B., Adam, E., Pruessner, J., Wüst, S., Dockray, S., Smyth, N., Evans, P., Kirschbaum, C., Miller, R., Wetherell, M., Finke, J., Klucken, T., Clow, A. 1 Dec 2022, In: Psychoneuroendocrinology
• Written benefit finding for improving psychological health during the Covid-19 pandemic first wave lockdown, Hansen, S., Wetherell, M., Smith, M. 3 Oct 2022, In: Psychology & Health
• The bear necessities of stress, Wetherell, M. 14 Sep 2022, In: Psychologist
• Elevated Levels of Hair Cortisol Concentrations in Professional Dementia Caregivers, Rippon, D., McDonnell, A., Bristow, M., Smith, M., McCreadie, M., Wetherell, M. 2 Nov 2021, In: Stress

• Jill Marshall Turnkey or Care Bear? Understanding the role of prison officers and the psychological impact of working with high-risk prisoners with complex personality needs Start Date: 01/10/2018
• Daniel Rippon The Development of a Theoretical Framework on Work Related Stress in Health and Social Care Professionals who Manage Behaviours that Challenge Start Date: 01/11/2015 End Date: 10/05/2019
• Matthew Robertson The impact of stress on the non-technical skills of perioperative practitioners Start Date: 26/04/2018
• Olivia Craw Assessing the Role of Anticipation in Psychobiological Stress Responding Start Date: 01/10/2013 End Date: 30/03/2017
• Brian Lovell Assessing the Psychophysiological Pathways that Link Chronic Stress with Increased Vulnerability for Ill Health Start Date: 01/09/2008 End Date: 12/12/2013

• Psychology PhD January 15 2002
• Psychology MSc October 30 1998
• Psychology BSc (Hons) July 31 1997
• Chartered Psychologist of the British Psychological Society C.Psychol
• Registered Practitioner Health Psychologist (Health & Care Professions Council) HCPC Registered Health Psychologist