Prof Deirdre Desmond

    Psychology, ALL Institute, Human Health Institute

    Professor
    Head of Department & Co-Director of the ALL Institute

    John Hume Building
    SF09
    (01) 708 6479

    Biography

    Deirdre Desmond PhD is a professor in the Department of Psychology and co-director of the Assisting Living and Learning (ALL) Institute.  She co-leads the Science Foundation Ireland Centre for Research Training in Advanced Networks for Sustainable Societies. 

     
    Her research is grounded in health and rehabilitation psychology, with particular focus on psychosocial adjustment to long-term illness and acquired physical impairment.  She is particularly interested in exploring issues at the interface between people and assistive technologies, taking a person centred approach to technology. Her research has received funding from a range of sources including the Health Research Board, Irish Research Council, Irish Heart Foundation.
     
    Deirdre is co-director of the Dublin Psychoprosthetics Group and an active member of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics.   

    Research Interests

    Psychosocial adjustment to illness, injury and disability; Coping; Outcomes measurement; Rehabilitation; Assistive technology; Self-management.

    Peer Reviewed Journal

    Year Publication
    2025 Gitonga, I; Desmond, D; Mullen, L.; Thomas, D.; Osborne, C.; O'Loughlin, B.; Maguire, R. (2025) 'Connected health in cancer survivorship: evaluating the usability and utility of the cancer thriving and surviving programme in Ireland'. Irish Journal of Medical Science, . [DOI]
    2024 Isaiah Gitonga; Deirdre Desmond; Rebecca Maguire (2024) 'Who uses connected health technologies after a cancer diagnosis? evidence from the US Health Information National Trends Survey'. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, . [DOI]
    2024 O’Donnell, J., Desmond, D., & MacLachlan, M. (2024) 'Learning from innovative staff practices that led to virtual disability services using the lens of Complex Adaptive Systems'. Disability & Society, . [DOI]
    2023 Casey, H.; Desmond, D.; Coffey, L. (2024) 'Irish mothers' experiences of providing support in decision-making to adults with intellectual disabilities: A qualitative study'. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 52 . [Link] [DOI]
    2023 Casey, H., Desmond, D., & Coffey, L. (2023) 'Professional and Family Carers’ Perspectives on the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Impact on Supported Decision-Making with Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: A Qualitative Online Survey'. Disabilities, 3 (2):206-216. [Link] [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2023 Casey, H.; Trayer, Á.; Desmond, D.; Coffey, L. (2023) 'Experiences and perceptions of everyday decision-making in the lives of adults with intellectual disabilities, their care partners and direct care support workers'. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, . [Link] [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2023 Kohler, Friedbert1; Halford, Gregory R. J.; Lukin, Martina; Hafner, Brian J.6; Boone, David A.; Desmond, Deirdre M.; Franchignoni, Franco; Gailey, Robert S.; Hagberg, Kerstin; Major, Matthew J.; Resnik, Linda (2023) 'Categorization and recommendations for outcome measures for lower limb absence by an expert panel'. Prosthetics and Orthotics International, . [DOI]
    2023 McNicholl, A., Desmond, D. Gallagher, P. (2023) 'Feeling valued: The interplay of assistive technology and identity'. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, . [DOI]
    2022 Gitonga, I., Desmond, D., Duda, N., & Maguire, R. (2022) 'Impact of connected health interventions on psychological wellbeing and quality of life in patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis'. Psycho-Oncology, . [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2022 Zorec, K., Desmond, D., Boland, T., McNicholl, A., O'Connor, A., Stafford, G., Gallagher, P. (2022) 'A whole-campus approach to technology and inclusion of students with disabilities in higher education in Ireland'. Disability & Society, . https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2022.2114885
    2022 Seidel, K., Labor, M., Lombard Vance, R., McEvoy, E., Cooke, M., D’Arino, L., Desmond, D., Ferri, D., Franke, P., Gheno, I., Grigoleit, S., Guerra, B., Krukowski, A., Pešoutová, M, Pietri, I., Prendergast, D., Maguire, R., Manso, M., Saris, A.J., Sarlio-Siintola, S., Silva, T., Zarogianni, E., MacLachlan, M., SHAPES Consortium (2022) 'Implementation of a pan-European ecosystem and an interoperable platform for Smart and Healthy Ageing in Europe: An Innovation Action research protocol [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]'. Open Research Europe, 2 (85). [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2021 Jones, H; Dupan, S; Coutinho, M; Day, S; Desmond, D; Donovan-Hall, M; Dyson, M; Ekins-Coward, T; Kenney, L; Krasoulis, A; McIntosh, D; Memarzadeh, K; Small, E; Wheeler, G; Wu, HC; Nazarpour, K (2021) 'Co-Creation Facilitates Translational Research on Upper Limb Prosthetics'. Prosthesis, 3 :110-118. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2021 Clarke, N; Dunne, S; Coffey, L; Sharp, L; Desmond, D; O'Conner, J; O'Sullivan, E; Timon, C; Cullen, C; Gallagher, P (2021) 'Health literacy impacts self-management, quality of life and fear of recurrence in head and neck cancer survivors'. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 15 :855-865. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2020 McNicholl, A; Desmond, D; Gallagher, P (2020) 'Assistive technologies, educational engagement and psychosocial outcomes among students with disabilities in higher education'. Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology, . [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2020 Desmond, D. and Gallagher, P. (2020) 'Reflections and future directions for psychological science in Prosthetics and Orthotics International'. Prosthetics and Orthotics International, . [DOI]
    2019 Dunne, S., Coffey, L. Sharp, L., Desmond, D. Gooberman-Hill, R, O’Sullivan, E., Timmons, A, Keogh, I., Timon, C., Gallagher, P. (2019) 'Integrating self-management into daily life following primary treatment: head and neck cancer survivors' perspectives'. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 13 (1):43-55. [Link] [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2019 Lombard-Vance, R., O’Keeffe, F., Desmond, D., Coen, R., Ryall, N., Gallagher, P. (2019) 'Comprehensive Neuropsychological Assessment of Cognitive Functioning of Adults with Lower Limb Amputation in Rehabilitation'. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 100 (2):278-288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2018.07.436. [Full-Text]
    2019 Dunne S.; Coffey L.; Sharp L.; Desmond D.; Cullen C.; O'Connor J.; O'Sullivan E.; Timon C.; Gallagher P. (2019) 'Investigating the impact of self-management behaviours on quality of life and fear of recurrence in head and neck cancer survivors: A population-based survey'. Psycho-Oncology, 28 (4):742-749. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2019 McNicholl, A., Casey, H., Desmond, D., Gallagher, P. (2019) 'The impact of assistive technology use for students with disabilities in higher education: a systematic review'. Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology, . [Link] https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2019.1642395 [Full-Text]
    2018 Desmond, D; Layton, N; Bentley, J; Boot, F; Borg, J; Dhungana, B; Gallagher, P; Gitlow, L; Gowran, R; Groce, N; Mavrou, K; Mackeogh, T; McDonald, R; Pettersson, C; Scherer, MJ. (2018) 'Assistive Technology and People: A Position Paper from the First Global Research, Innovation, and Education on Assistive Technology (GREAT) Summit'. Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology, . [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2018 Dunne, S., Coffey, L., Sharpe, L., Desmond, D. Gooberman-Hill, R., Timons, A., O'Sullivan, E., Timon, C., Keogh, IJ., Gallagher, P. (2018) 'Barriers to active self-management following treatment for head and neck cancer: survivors’ perspectives'. Psycho-Oncology, 27 (10):2382-2388. [Link] [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2018 Rothwell C.; Desmond D. (2018) 'The effect of viewing fitness imagery on body dissatisfaction: sex and physical activity differences'. Psychology, Health and Medicine, 23 (8):980-986. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2017 Cochrane A, Higgins NM, Rothwell C, Ashton J, Breen R, Corcoran O, FitzGerald O, Gallagher P, Desmond D. (2017) 'Work Outcomes in Patients Who Stay at Work Despite Musculoskeletal Pain'. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, . [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2017 Dunne S, Mooney O, Coffey L, Sharp L, Desmond D, Timon C, O'Sullivan E & Gallagher P (2017) 'Psychological variables associated with quality of life following primary treatment for head and neck cancer: A systematic review of the literature from 2004-2015'. Psycho-Oncology, 26 (2):149-160. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2017 Cochrane A, Higgins NM, FitzGerald O, Gallagher P, Ashton J, Corcoran O, Desmond D. (2017) 'Early interventions to promote work participation in people with regional musculoskeletal pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis'. Clinical Rehabilitation, 31 (11):1466-1481. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2017 Dunne S; Mooney O; Coffey L; Sharp L; Timmons A; Desmond D; Gooberman-Hill R; O’Sullivan E; Keogh I; Timon C; Gallagher, P. (2017) 'Self-management strategies used by head and neck cancer survivors following completion of primary treatment: A directed content analysis'. Psycho-Oncology, 26 (12):2194-2200. [Link] [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2016 Leahy, D., Desmond, D., Coughlan, T., O’Neill, D., & Collins, D.R. (2016) 'Stroke in young Irish women: an interpretive phenomenological analysis'. Journal of Health Psychology, 21 (5):669-678. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2016 Coffey L; Mooney O; Dunne S; Sharp L; Timmons A; Desmond D; O'Sullivan E; Timon C; Gooberman-Hill R; Gallagher P; (2016) 'Cancer survivors' perspectives on adjustment-focused self-management interventions: a qualitative meta-synthesis'. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 10 (6):1012-1034. [Link] [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2015 Delea S.; Buckley C.; Hanrahan A.; McGreal G.; Desmond D.; McHugh S. (2015) 'Management of diabetic foot disease and amputation in the Irish health system: A qualitative study of patients' attitudes and experiences with health services'. BMC Health Services Research, 15 (1). [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2015 Dunne, S; Coffey, L; Gallagher, P; Desmond, D; Ryall, N (2015) 'BEYOND FUNCTION: USING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOLLOWING LOWER LIMB LOSS'. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 47 :561-568. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2014 Coffey, L; Gallagher, P; Desmond, D (2014) 'Goal Pursuit and Goal Adjustment as Predictors of Disability and Quality of Life Among Individuals With a Lower Limb Amputation: A Prospective Study'. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 95 :244-252. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2014 Coffey, L; Gallagher, P; Desmond, D; Ryall, N (2014) 'Goal pursuit, goal adjustment, and affective well-being following lower limb amputation'. British Journal of Health Psychology, 19 :409-424. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2014 Coffey, L; Gallagher, P; Desmond, D; Ryall, N; Wegener, ST (2014) 'Goal Management Tendencies Predict Trajectories of Adjustment to Lower Limb Amputation Up to 15 Months Post Rehabilitation Discharge'. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 95 :1895-1902. [DOI]
    2014 Coffey, L; Gallagher, P; Desmond, D (2014) 'A prospective study of the importance of life goal characteristics and goal adjustment capacities in longer term psychosocial adjustment to lower limb amputation'. Clinical Rehabilitation, 28 :196-205. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2014 Dunne, S; Coffey, L; Gallagher, P; Desmond, D (2014) 'If I can do it I will do it, if I can't, I can't: a study of adaptive self-regulatory strategies following lower limb amputation'. Disability and Rehabilitation, 36 :1990-1997. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2012 Coffey, L; O'Keeffe, F; Gallagher, P; Desmond, D; Lombard-Vance, R (2012) 'Cognitive functioning in persons with lower limb amputations: a review'. Disability and Rehabilitation, 34 :1950-1964. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2011 Gallagher, P; O'Donovan, MA; Doyle, A; Desmond, D (2011) 'Environmental barriers, activity limitations and participation restrictions experienced by people with major limb amputation'. Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 35 :278-284. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2010 Desmond, D.,MacLachlan, M. (2010) 'Prevalence and characteristics of phantom limb pain and residual limb pain in the long term following upper limb amputation'. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 33 (3):279-282. [Full-Text]
    2010 Fahy, A; Desmond, DM (2010) 'Irish mothers' intentions to have daughters receive the HPV vaccine'. Irish Journal of Medical Science, 179 :427-430. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2009 Coffey, L; Gallagher, P; Horgan, O; Desmond, D; MacLachlan, M (2009) 'Psychosocial adjustment to diabetes-related lower limb amputation'. Diabetic Medicine, 26 :1063-1067. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2009 De Silva M, MacLachlan M, Devane D, Desmond D, Gallagher P, Schnyder U, Brennan M, Patel V. (2009) 'Psychosocial interventions for the prevention of disability following traumatic physical injury'. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, . [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2008 Browne, C. & Desmond, D. M. (2008) 'Intentions to consent to living organ donation: an exploratory study'. Psychology, Health and Medicine, 13 :605-609. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2008 Desmond, D; Gallagher, P; Henderson-Slater, D; Chatfield, R (2008) 'Pain and psychosocial adjustment to lower limb amputation amongst prosthesis users'. Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 32 :244-252. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2007 Desmond, D. M. (2007) 'Coping, affective distress and psychosocial adjustment among people with acquired upper limb amputations'. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOMATIC RESEARCH, 62 :15-21. [Full-Text]
    2007 Gallagher, P; Desmond, D (2007) 'Measuring quality of life in prosthetic practice: benefits and challenges'. Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 31 :167-176. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2007 MacLachlan M, De Silva MJ, Devane D, Desmond D, Gallagher P, Schnyder U, Brennan M, Patel V. (2007) 'Psychosocial interventions for the prevention of disability following traumatic physical injury (Protocol)'. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, . [DOI]
    2006 Desmond, DM; Shevlin, M; MacLachlan, M (2006) 'Dimensional analysis of the coping strategy indicator in a sample of elderly veterans with acquired limb amputations'. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES, 40 :249-259. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2006 Desmond D.; Og'Neill K.; De Paor A.; McDarby G.; MacLachlan M. (2006) 'Augmenting the reality of phantom limbs: Three case studies using an augmented mirror box procedure'. Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, 18 (3):74-79. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2006 Desmond, DM; MacLachlan, M (2006) 'Affective distress and amputation-related pain among older men with long-term, traumatic limb amputations'. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 31 :362-368. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2006 Desmond, DM; MacLachlan, M (2006) 'Coping strategies as predictors of psychosocial adaptation in a sample of elderly veterans with acquired lower limb amputations'. Social Science and Medicine, 62 :208-216. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2005 Desmond, D., & MacLachlan, M. (2005) 'The factor structure of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in older individuals with acquired amputations: A comparison of 4 models using confirmatory factor analysis'. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 20 :344-349. [Full-Text]
    2005 Desmond, D., & MacLachlan, M. (2005) 'The factor structure of the Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scales (TAPES) with individuals with acquired upper limb amputations'. American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 84 :506-513. [Full-Text]
    2004 Desmond, D. M.,MacLachlan, M. (2004) 'Psychosocial Perspectives on Postamputation Rehabilitation: A Review of Disease -, Trauma -, and War-Related Literature'. Critical Reviews in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 16 :77-93. [Full-Text]
    2003 Desmond, D. & MacLachlan, M. (2003) 'Psychological issues in prosthetic and orthotic practice: A twenty-five year review of psychology in Prosthetics & Orthotics International'. Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 26 :182-188. [Full-Text]
    2003 MacLachlan, M., Desmond, D. & Horgan, O. (2003) 'Psychological Correlates of Illusory Body Experiences'. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 40 :59-66. [Full-Text]
    2002 Desmond, D. & MacLachlan, M. (2002) 'Psychosocial Issues in the Field of Prosthetics and Orthotics'. Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, 12 :19-22. [Full-Text]

    Reviews

    Year Publication
    2021 Maguire R.; McKeague B.; Kóka N.; Coffey L.; Maguire P.; Desmond D. (2021) The role of expectations and future-oriented cognitions in quality of life of people with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review. [Reviews] [DOI] [Full-Text]

    Book

    Year Publication
    2008 (2008) Psychoprosthetics: State of the Knowledge. : Springer-Verlag.

    Book Chapter

    Year Publication
    2012 Desmond, D.M., Coffey, L., Gallagher, P., MacLachlan, M., Wegener, S., & O'Keeffe, F. (2012) 'Limb Amputation' In: Kennedy, P. (Ed)(Eds.). The Oxford Handbook of Rehabilitation Psychology. Oxford : Oxford University Press:. [Full-Text]
    2012 MacLachlan, M., Ni Mhaille G., Gallagher P., Desmond D. (2012) 'Appearance and Embodiment' In: N. Rumsey and D. Harcourt (Eds)(Eds.). The Oxford Handbook of the Psychology of Appearance. Oxford : Oxford University Press:.
    2010 Schaffalitzky, E., Gallagher, P., Desmond, D. M., MacLachlan, M. (2010) 'Adaptation to Amputation and Prosthesis Use' In: Murray, C(Eds.). Amputation, Prostheses, and Phantom Limb Pain: An Interdisciplinary Perspective. . London : Springer-Verlag.
    2010 Desmond, D. & Gallagher, P. (2010) 'Quality of life in people with lower-limb amputation' In: Preedy, V.R. and Watson, R.R(Eds.). Handbook of Disease Burdens and Quality of Life Measures. Springer-Verlag : London.
    2008 Gallagher, P. & Desmond D.M. & MacLachlan, M. (2008) 'Psychoprosthetics: an introduction' In: Gallagher, P., Desmond, D. M., & MacLachlan, M(Eds.). Psychoprosthetics: State of the Knowledge. Springer-Verlag : London.
    2008 Desmond, D. M. & Gallagher, P. (2008) 'Coping and Psychosocial Adjustment to Amputation' In: Gallagher, P., Desmond, D. M., & MacLachlan, M(Eds.). Psychoprosthetics: State of the Knowledge. Springer-Verlag : London.

    Other Journal

    Year Publication
    2010 Coffey, L., Gallagher, P., Desmond, D. (2010) 'Psychosocial Adjustment to Diabetes-Related Lower Limb Amputation: A Review' Diabetes Professional, Autumn ed, . [Full-Text]
    2006 Gallagher P., & Desmond D.M. (2006) 'Exploring Psychoprosthetics' InMotion, 16 :18-20.
    Certain data included herein are derived from the © Web of Science (2025) of Clarivate. All rights reserved.