Dr Kevin Hochard | University of Chester

Head of Psychology

Kevin conducts research on the links between sleep disorders (e.g. Insomnia and Nightmares) and suicidal behaviours, with a focus on developing brief behavioural intervention (e.g. Acceptance and Commitment Training/therapy). Kevin teaches across the undergraduate programme; in particular, research methods, psychological therapies and Psychopathology.

Kevin has been involved in a wide range of research studies focusing on health and clinical psychology topics using a variety of methodologies. For instance, he has performed research on sleep disorders and its links to self-harm using prospective diaries, psychophysiological measurements, behavioural testing and psychometrics. He has also performed research on individual differences and personality factors linked to impulsivity, decision making, and pro-social behaviours in both adults and children.

Kevin is module leader for the second year research methods module ‘Becoming a Psychological Researcher’ (PS5015) and the MSc 'Advanced Research Methods' module (PS7602). He also lecturers on Research Methods and Skills (PS4005), Psychological Therapies (PS5013), and ‘Psychopathology’ (PS6007). Kevin also supervises both undergraduate, MSc and MRes dissertations. He is presently supervising 2 doctoral students (Ms Rosina Pendrous and Mr William Kent).

Kevin’s research examines the effects of poor sleep and sleep disorders on suicidality. He is interested in the processes through which sleep can regulate mood and the impact of this regulation or lack thereof on waking life. His work at present fits within the Contextual Behavioural Science tradition and focuses on the development and testing of brief intervention techniques.

Kannangara, C., Allen, R., Hochard, K. D., & Carson, J. (2022). An international validation of the Bolton Unistride Scale (BUSS) of tenacity. PLOS ONE, 17(3), e0264889. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0264889

Hochard, K. D., Hulbert-Williams, L., Ashcroft, S., & McLoughlin, S. (2021). Acceptance and values clarification versus cognitive restructuring and relaxation: A randomized controlled trial of ultra-brief non-expert-delivered coaching interventions for social resilience. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 21, 12-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2021.05.001

Hulbert-Williams, L., Pendrous, R., Hochard, K. D., & Hulbert-Williams, N. J. (2020). In search of scope: A response to Ruiz et al. (2020). Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 18, 306–311. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2020.10.008

Kent, W., Hulbert-Williams, N. J., & Hochard, K. D. (2020). A review of stress management interventions for the oncology nursing workforce: What do we know and what should we be doing differently? Health Psychology Report, 1–19. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5114/hpr.2020.100787

Pendrous, R., Hulbert-Williams, L., Hochard, K.D., & Hulbert-Williams, N.J. (2020). Appetitive augmental functions and common physical properties in a pain tolerance metaphor: An extended replication. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 16, 17-24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2020.02.003

Hochard, K.D., Pendrous, R., Mari, T., & Flynn, S. (2020). Examining the relationship between autism traits and sleep duration as predictors of suicidality. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50 (10), 3575-3584. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04405-7

Kent, W., Hochard, K. D., & Hulbert-Williams, N. J. (2019). Perceived stress and professional quality of life in nursing staff: how important is psychological flexibility? Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 14, 11-19. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2019.08.004

Hochard, K. D., Ashcroft, S., Carroll, J., Heym, N., & Townsend, E. (2019). Exploring Thematic Nightmare Content and Associated Self‐Harm Risk. Suicide and Life‐Threatening Behavior, 49(1), 64-75. https://doi.org/10.1111/sltb.12402

Lakens, D., Adolfi, F. G., Albers, C. J., Anvari, F., Apps, M. A. J., Argamon, S. E., …Hochard, K. D.… Zwaan, R. A. (2018). Justify your alpha. Nature Human Behaviour. http://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-018-0311-x

Hulbert-Williams, L., Hulbert-Williams, N. J., Nicholls, W., Williamson, S., Poonia, J., & Hochard, K. D. (2017). Ultra-brief non-expert-delivered Acceptance and Commitment Training exercises for food cravings. Journal of Health Psychology. http://doi.org/10.1177/1359105317695424

Hochard, K. D., Heym, N., & Townsend, E. (2016). Investigating the interaction between sleep symptoms of arousal and acquired capability in predicting suicidality. Suicide and Life Threatening Behavior, 47 (3), 370-381. http://doi.org/10.1111/sltb.12285

Hulbert-Williams, L., Hochard, K. D., Hulbert-Williams, N. J., Archer, R., Nicholls, W., & Wilson, K. (2016). Contextual behavioural coaching: A scientifically coherent model for supporting behaviour change. International Journal of Coaching Psychology, 11 (2), 30-42.

Hochard, K. D., Heym, N., & Townsend, E. (2016). The Behavioral Effects of Frequent Nightmares on Objective Stress Tolerance. Dreaming, 26 (1), 42-49. http://doi.org/10.1037/drm0000013

Hochard, K. D., Heym, N., & Townsend, E. (2015). The Unidirectional Relationship of Nightmares on Self-Harmful Thoughts and Behaviors. Dreaming, 25 (1), 44-58. http://doi.org/10.1037/a0038617

Kevin is a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS). He obtained his BSc (hons) in Psychology and subsequently an MSc in Health Psychology from the University of Stirling. Kevin completed his PhD on ‘The Psychological Mechanism Linking Nightmares to Increased Self-Harm Risk’ at the University of Nottingham. Kevin is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.