Dr Susan Ayers

Biography

PhD London University
Associate Fellow British Psychological Society
C.Psychol British Psychological Society
MSc (dist) Brighton University
BSc (Hons: 1) London University

I am interested in stress and coping with health events, such as childbirth and cardiovascular disease. My specialist interest is post-traumatic stress disorder after childbirth, in particular the interaction between severity of birth, interpersonal factors and cognitive vulnerability. I lead the Perinatal Anxiety Research Lab (PEARL).  Our research includes the The Sussex Journey to Parenthood Study looking at the transition to parenthood and family relationships, evaluation of care at the birth of premature babies, midwife-debriefing, and self-help interventions for women with postnatal anxiety or depression.

Research team

Research Fellow: Dr Alexandra Sawyer

PhD students:

Ylva Parfitt    Suzanne Foley    Rose Coates    Donna Moore    Suzanne Lee   Sarah Woodhouse

Clinical Health Psychology module (MSc Health Psychology)

Student Consultation

11-12 Wednesday and Thursday

Sawyer, A, Rabe, H, Gyte, G, Duley, L and Ayers, S (2013) Parents' experiences and satisfaction with care during the birth of their very preterm baby: a qualitative study. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 120 (5). pp. 637-643. ISSN 0306-5456

Parfitt, Ylva and Ayers, Susan (2012) Postnatal mental health and parenting: the importance of parental anger. Infant Mental Health Journal, 33 (4). pp. 400-410. ISSN 0163-9641

Harris, Rachel and Ayers, Susan (2012) What makes labour and birth traumatic? A survey of intrapartum 'hotspots'. Psychology and Health , 27 (10). pp. 1166-1177. ISSN 0887-0446

Sawyer, Alexandra, Ayers, Susan, Young, Debra, Bradley, Robert and Smith, Helen (2012) Posttraumatic growth after childbirth: a prospective study. Psychology and Health, 27 (3). pp. 362-377. ISSN 0887-0446

Ford, Elizabeth and Ayers, Susan (2011) Support during birth interacts with trauma history and birth intervention to predict postnatal post-traumatic stress symptoms. Psychology and Health (26). pp. 1553-1570.

Moore, Donna and Ayers, Susan (2011) A review of postnatal mental health websites. Archives of Women's Mental Health, 14 (6). pp. 443-452.

Sawyer, Alexandra, Ayers, Susan, Smith, Helen, Sidibeh, Lamin, Nyan, Ousman and Dale, John (2011) Women's experiences of pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period in The Gambia: a qualitative study. British Journal of Health Psychology, 16 (3). pp. 528-541. ISSN 1359-107X

Newell, Susan E, Harries, Priscilla and Ayers, Susan (2011) Boredom proneness in a psychiatric inpatient population. International Journal of Social Psychiatry. ISSN 0020-7640

Meades, R and Ayers, Susan (2011) Anxiety measures validated in perinatal populations: A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 133 (1-2). pp. 1-15. ISSN 0165-0327

Cartwright, Kim, Mahoney, Liam, Ayers, Susan and Rabe, Heike (2011) Parents' perceptions of their infants' participation in randomized controlled trials. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 40 (5). pp. 555-565. ISSN 1552-6909

Meades, Rose, Pond, C, Ayers, Susan and Warren, F (2011) Postnatal debriefing: Have we thrown the baby out with the bathwater? Behaviour Research and Therapy, 49. pp. 367-372.

Sawyer, Alexandra, Ayers, Susan, Smith, Helen, Sidibeh, Lamin, Nyan, Ousman and Dale, John (2011) Women's experiences of pregnancy and birth in the Gambia: A qualitative study. British Journal of Health Psychology, 16 (3). pp. 528-541. ISSN 1359-107X

Joekes, Katherine, Copland, Claire and Ayers, Susan (2011) Anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder in cardiac patients. British Journal of Wellbeing, 2 (1). pp. 21-25. ISSN 2043-9393

Ayers, Susan and de Visser, Richard (2011) Psychology for Medicine. SAGE Publications Ltd, London. ISBN 9781412946902

Sawyer, Alexandra, Ayers, Susan and Field, Andy (2010) Posttraumatic growth and adjustment among individuals with cancer or HIV/AIDS: A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 30 (4). pp. 436-447. ISSN 0272-7358

Sawyer, Alexandra, Ayers, Susan and Smith, Helen (2010) Pre- and postnatal psychological wellbeing in Africa: A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 123 (1-3). pp. 17-29. ISSN 01650327

Rabe, H, Dhanjal, K, Stilton, D, Ayers, Susan and Holden, D (2010) Parents Perception of giving antenatal consent to include their preterm infant into a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Klinische Padiatrie, 222 (S1). S72-S72. ISSN 0300-8630

Ford, Elizabeth, Ayers, Susan and Bradley, Robert (2010) Exploration of a cognitive model to predict post-traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 24 (3). pp. 353-359. ISSN 0887-6185

Mahoney, Liam, Ayers, Susan and Seddon, Paul (2010) The association between parent's and healthcare professional's behaviour and children's coping and distress during venepuncture. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 35 (9). pp. 985-995. ISSN 0146-8693

Ayers, Susan, Joekes, Katherine and Copland, Claire (2010) Recognizing anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder in cardiac patients. British Journal of Cardiac Nursing, 5 (3). pp. 118-122. ISSN 1749-6403

Ayers, Susan and Ford, Elizabeth (2009) Birth trauma: Widening our knowledge of postnatal mental health. The European Health Psychologist, 11 (2). pp. 16-19.

Ayers, Susan, Thakar, R and Manyonda, I (2009) Removing the cervix at hysterectomy: an unnecessary intervention? Reply. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 113 (5). pp. 1173-1174. ISSN 0029-7844

Parfitt, Ylva and Ayers, Susan (2009) The effect of postnatal symptoms of post-traumatic stress and depression on the couple's relationship and parent-baby bond. Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 27 (2). pp. 127-142. ISSN 1469-672X

Sawyer, Alexandra and Ayers, Susan (2009) Post-traumatic growth in women after childbirth. Psychology and Health, 24 (4). pp. 457-471. ISSN 0887-0446

Ford, Elizabeth and Ayers, Susan (2009) Stressful events and support during birth: The effect on anxiety, mood, and perceived control. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 23 (2). pp. 260-268. ISSN 0887-6185

Ford, Elizabeth, Ayers, Susan and Wright, Daniel B (2009) Measurement of maternal perceptions of support and control in birth (SCIB). Journal of Women's Health, 18 (2). pp. 245-252. ISSN 1540-9996

Ayers, Susan and Banerjee, Robin (2009) Development in early infancy. In: Psychology and Sociology Applied to Medicine. Elsevier Science, pp. 8-9. ISBN 9780443067877

Ayers, Susan, Harris, Rachel, Sawyer, Alexandra, Parfitt, Ylva and Ford, Elizabeth (2009) Post-traumatic stress disorder after childbirth: Analysis of symptom presentation and sampling. Journal of Affective Disorders, 119 (1-3). pp. 200-204. ISSN 0165-0327

Ayers, Susan, Alder, Beth and Ford, Elizabeth (2009) Reproductive issues. In: Psychology and Sociology Applied to Medicine. Elsevier Science, pp. 6-7. ISBN 9780443067877

Ayers, Susan, Copland, Claire and Dunmore, Emma (2009) A preliminary study of negative appraisals and dysfunctional coping associated with post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms following myocardial infarction. British Journal of Health Psychology, 14 (3). pp. 459-471. ISSN 1359-107X

Ayers, Susan, Joseph, Stephen, McKenzie-McHarg, Kirstie, Slade, Pauline and Klass, Wijma (2008) Post-traumatic stress disorder following childbirth: Current issues and recommendations for future research. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 29 (4). pp. 240-250. ISSN 0167-482X

Thakar, Ranee, Ayers, Susan, Srivastava, Rashmi and Manyonda, Isaac (2008) Removing the Cervix at Hysterectomy: An Unnecessary Intervention? Obstetrics and Gynecology, 112 (6). pp. 1262-1269. ISSN 0029-7844

Nicholls, Karen and Ayers, Susan (2007) Childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder in couples: A qualitative study. British Journal of Health Psychology, 12 (4). pp. 491-509. ISSN 1359-107X

Ayers, Susan, McKenzie-McHarg, Kirstie and Eagle, Andrew (2007) Cognitive behaviour therapy for postnatal post-traumatic stress disorder: case studies. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 28 (3). pp. 177-184.

Ayers, Susan (2007) Thoughts and emotions during traumatic birth: a qualitative study. Birth: Issues in Perinatal Care, 34 (3). pp. 253-263. ISSN 0730-7659

Brennan, Arthur, Ayers, Susan, Ahmed, Hafez and Marshall-Lucette, Sylvie (2007) A critical review of the Couvade Syndrome: The pregnant male. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 25 (3). pp. 173-189. ISSN 0264-6838

Cox, Louise, Ayers, Susan, Nala, Kamala and Penny, James (2007) Chronic pelvic pain and quality of life after laparoscopy. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecologial Reproduction & Biology, 132 (2). pp. 214-219. ISSN 0301-2115

Ayers, Susan and Ford, Elizabeth (2007) Childbirth and stress. In: Encyclopedia of Stress (2nd Edition). Academic Press. ISBN 978-0120885039

Ayers, Susan, Wright, Daniel and Wells, Nicola (2007) Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in couples after birth: Association with the couple's relationship and parent-baby bond. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 25 (1). pp. 40-50. ISSN 0264-6838

Ayers, Susan (2007) Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. In: Psychological Challenges in Obstetrics and Gynecology: The Clinical Management. Springer-Verlag, pp. 131-140. ISBN 9781846288074

Brennan, Arthur, Marshall-Lucette, Sylvie, Ayers, Susan and Ahmed, Hafez (2007) A qualitative exploration of the Couvade syndrome in expectant fathers. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 25 (1). pp. 18-39. ISSN 0264-6838

Ayers, Susan, Eagle, Andrew and Waring, Helen (2006) The effects of childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder on women and their relationships: a qualitative study. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 11 (4). pp. 389-398.

Ayers, Susan, Claypool, Jennifer and Eagle, Andrew (2006) What happens after a difficult birth? Postnatal debriefing services. British Journal of Midwifery, 14 (3). pp. 157-161.

Ayers, Susan, Collenette, A, Hollis, B and Manyonda, I (2005) Feasibility study of a Latest Date of Delivery (LDD) system of managing pregnancy. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 26 (3). pp. 167-171. ISSN 0167-482X

Pearce, H and Ayers, Susan (2005) The expected child versus the actual child: implications for the mother-baby bond. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 23 (1). pp. 89-102. ISSN 0264-6838

Ayers, Susan and Pickering, A. D. (2005) Women's expectations and experience of birth. Psychology and Health, 20 (1). pp. 79-92. ISSN 0887-0446

Ayers, Susan (2005) Pain. In: Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Psychology. Hodder Arnold. ISBN 9780340812525

Ayers, Susan (2005) Stress. In: Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Psychology. Hodder Arnold. ISBN 9780340812525

Steptoe, Andrew and Ayers, Dr. Susan (2004) Stress, health and illness. In: The SAGE handbook of health psychology. Sage Publications, pp. 169-196. ISBN 9780761968498

Thakar, Ranee, Ayers, Susan, Georgakapolou, Alexandra, Clarkson, Peter, Stanton, Stuart and Manyonda, Isaac (2004) Hysterectomy improves quality of life and decreases psychiatric symptoms: a prospective and randomized comparison of total versus subtotal hysterectomy. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 111 (10). 1115 - 1120. ISSN 1470-0328

Ayers, Susan (2004) Delivery as a traumatic event: prevalence, risk factors, and treatment for postnatal posttraumatic stress disorder. Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology, 47 (3). pp. 552-567. ISSN 0009-9201

Cropley, M, Ayers, S and Nokes, L (2003) People don't exercise because they can't think of reasons to exercise: an examination of causal reasoning within the Transtheoretical Model. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 8 (4). pp. 409-414.

Ayers, S (2003) Commentary on "Post-traumatic stress following childbirth: a review of the emerging literature and directions for research and practice". Psychology, Health & Medicine, 8 (2). pp. 169-171. ISSN 1354-8506

Keogh, Edmund, Ayers, Susan and Francis, Harriet (2002) Does Anxiety Sensitivity Predict Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms Following Childbirth? A Preliminary Report. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 31 (4). pp. 145-155.

Thakar, Ranee, Ayers, Susan, Clarkson, Peter, Stanton, Stuart and Manyonda, Isaac (2002) Outcomes after total versus subtotal abdominal hysterectomy. New England Journal of Medicine, 347 (17). pp. 1318-1325. ISSN 0028-4793

Ayers, Susan and Pickering, Alan D (2001) Do women get posttraumatic stress disorder as a result of childbirth? A prospective study of incidence. Birth: Issues in Perinatal Care, 28 (2). pp. 111-118. ISSN 0730-7659

Ayers, S (2001) Assessing psychopathology in pregnancy and postpartum. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology, 22 (2). pp. 91-102. ISSN 0167-482X

Ayers, S (2001) Assessing stress and coping in pregnancy and postpartum. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 22 (1). pp. 13-27. ISSN 0167-482X

Ayers, Susan (1997) The application of chaos theory to psychology. Theory and Psychology, 7 (3). pp. 373-398. ISSN 0959-3543

Ayers, Susan and Pickering, AD (1997) Psychological factors and ultrasound: Differences between routine and high-risk scans. Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 9. pp. 76-79. ISSN 0960-7692