Doctor Danielle Paddock BSc, MSc, PhD, aFHEA
Research Associate
Summary
I am a Cyberpsychologist with an interest in understanding the risks and opportunities afforded by digital technologies particularly in relation to adolescent development including identity development, peer relationships, body image and mental wellbeing. I aim to develop ways to improve adolescent body image and mental wellbeing in the context of a digital age. My research predominantly adopts a mixed methods approach, but I am mostly interested in using qualitative and creative methods to explore sensitive topics with young people.
About
In 2017 I completed my Psychology BSc (Hons) at York St John University. I continued my studies at York St John by going on to study for my MSc in Psychology of Child and Adolescent Development. I began my full-time PhD at York St John University in 2018 under the supervision of Dr Beth Bell. My PhD research explored how adolescents understand and experience appearance-related interactions on social media in relation to body image concerns, peer relationships and self-development. Alongside my PhD, I was employed as an Academic Associate, teaching lectures, seminars and workshops to undergraduate psychology students. I completed my PhD in 2022.
I have been working as a Research Associate in the Institute of Social Sciences since 2022 and have been involved in various behavioural science projects such increasing uptake of family hub services and vaping behaviours in young people. I am currently a postdoctoral researcher on the ESRC Digital Good Network project exploring the role of mobile phone use in romantic relationships. I also deliver and facilitate behaviour change training for policy makers.
I have experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating psychological and behaviour change interventions working closely with schools, youth groups and local authorities. I am particularly passionate about using co-design and co-production when designing and developing behaviour change interventions.
As part of my external commitments, I am a committee member on the British Psychological Society's Cyberpsychology Section where I am part of the communications team which involves managing the various social media accounts for the section.
Research
- Social and Economic Research Institute
Publications
Journal articles
Paddock, D., Cassarly, J., & Bell, B. (2025). “OMG you look amazing”: A Systematic Examination of the Text-Based Interactions Surrounding UK Adolescent Girls’ Self-Images on Instagram. Body Image, 52. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101839
Paddock, D.L., Cassarly, J., & Bell, B.T. (2025). Corrigendum to ““OMG you look amazing”: A systematic examination of the text-based interactions surrounding UK adolescent girls’ self-images on Instagram” [Body Image 52 (2024) 101839]. Body Image, 52, 101848. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101848
Humphreys, H., Paddock, D., Brown, S., Cowie, A., Berry, C., Dawkes, S., & Nichols, S. (2024). Exploring patients’ views regarding the support and rehabilitation needs of people living with myocardial ischaemia and no obstructive coronary arteries: a qualitative interview study. BMJ Open, 14 (12). http://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-086770
Humphreys, H., Paddock, D., Brown, S., Berry, C., Cowie, A., Dawkes, S., & Nichols, S. (2024). Living with myocardial ischaemia and no obstructive coronary arteries: a qualitative study. Open Heart, 11 (1). http://doi.org/10.1136/openhrt-2023-002569
Bell, B.T., Taylor, C., Paddock, D., & Bates, A. (2022). Digital Bodies: A controlled evaluation of a brief classroom-based intervention for reducing negative body image among adolescents in the digital age. The British journal of educational psychology, 92 (1), 280-298. http://doi.org/10.1111/bjep.12449
Paddock, D.L., & Bell, B.T. (2021). “It’s Better Saying I Look Fat Instead of Saying You Look Fat”: A Qualitative Study of U.K. Adolescents’ Understanding of Appearance-Related Interactions on Social Media. Journal of Adolescent Research. http://doi.org/10.1177/07435584211034875
Bell, B.T., Taylor, C., Paddock, D.L., Bates, A., & Orange, S.T. (2021). Body talk in the digital age: a controlled evaluation of a classroom-based intervention to reduce appearance commentary and improve body image. Health Psychology Open, 8 (1), 20551029211018920. http://doi.org/10.1177/20551029211018920
Reports
Arden, M., Humphreys, H., Wilcockson, H., Paddock, D., Thorneloe, R., Rutkauskas, L., & Millings, A. (2024). Behavioural science: Increasing uptake of family hub services. UK Government Social Research. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/behavioural-insights-increasing-uptake-of-family-hub-services
Arden, M., Millings, A., Thorneloe, R., Wilcockson, H., Humphreys, H., Paddock, D., & Clarke, E. (2024). Behavioural Science: Increasing uptake of family hub services. Evaluation Protocols. UK Government. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65df2d11b8da630011c86397/Intervention_development_and_evaluation_protocols_report.pdf
Millings, A., Wilcockson, H., Clarke, E., Lamb, M., Humphreys, H., Paddock, D., ... Coldwell, M. (2022). Applying behavioural science to promoting uptake of family hubs services Research report summary. Department for Education. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1123978/Summary_Applying_behavioural_science_to_promoting_uptake_of_family_hubs_services.pdf
Millings, A., Wilcockson, H., Clarke, E., Lamb, M., Humphreys, H., Paddock, D., ... Coldwell, M. (2022). Applying behavioural science to promoting uptake of family hubs services Research report. (1284). Department for Education. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1123977/Applying_behavioural_science_to_promoting_uptake_of_family_hubs_services.pdf
Presentations
Thorneloe, R., Garstang, K., Paddock, D., Humphreys, H., Arden, M., & Porritt, J. (2025). Using the Behaviour Change Wheel to understand and address the barriers and facilitators for childhood vaccination uptake in Peterborough. Presented at: Behavioural Science and Public Health Network (BSPHN) conference 2025: Keeping ahead of change, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool
Wilcockson, H., Millings, A., Clarke, E., Lamb, M., Humphreys, H., Paddock, D., ... Coldwell, M. (2023). Promoting the uptake of family hubs services: The development and evaluation of behavioural science-informed messages to promote a ‘New Dads support group’. Presented at: Division of Health Psychology Annual Conference, Sheffield
Posters
Paddock, D., Thorneloe, R., Wilcockson, H., Humphreys, H., Millings, A., & Arden, M. (2023). Factors influencing childhood vaccination uptake following the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review. Presented at: Division of Health Psychology Annual Conference, Sheffield
Other activities
I am a committee member on the British Psychological Society's Cyberpsychology Section where I am part of the communications team which involves managing the various social media accounts for the section.