Dr Laura Coffey
Biography
Research
Publications
Professional
Teaching
Biography
Dr. Laura Coffey is a Lecturer/Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology. She is a graduate of University College Dublin (BA Psychology), the National University of Ireland, Galway (MPsychSc Health Psychology), and Dublin City University (PhD). Prior to taking up her current post in 2015, she worked as a postdoctoral researcher and co-investigator on various projects funded by the Irish Research Council, Irish Cancer Society and Health Research Board. With a background in health and rehabilitation psychology, her research focuses on people's experiences of illness, disability and difference, and finding ways to promote their autonomy, wellbeing and participation. She has particular research interests in amputation, cancer survivorship, neurodivergence, assistive technologies, self-management, supported decision-making, qualitative and mixed-methods approaches, and engaged research practices.
Research Interests
Exploring the views and experiences of those living with illness, disability and difference and finding ways to promote their autonomy, wellbeing and participation; amputation; cancer survivorship; self-management; assistive technology; supported decision-making; participatory autism research. Emphasis on qualitative and mixed methods approaches incorporating multiple stakeholders’ perspectives and engaged research practices.
Book Chapter
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Gallagher, P., Coffey, L., Desmond, D. M., Lombard-Vance, R., Jefferies, P., & Wegener, S. T. (2019) 'Limb loss' In: Handbook of Rehabilitation Psychology (3rd Ed.). Washington, DC : American Psychological Association. [Link] | |
| 2012 | Desmond DM, Coffey L, Gallagher P, MacLachlan M, Wegener ST, O'Keeffe F (2012) 'Limb amputation' In: Oxford Handbook of Rehabilitation Psychology. : Oxford University Press. [Full-Text] |
Peer Reviewed Journal
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Riona Madden; Laura Coffey (2025) 'Experiences of Empathy-Based Stress Among Care Staff Supporting Children and Adolescents With Intellectual Disabilities and/or Autism in Residential and Respite Services: A Qualitative Exploration'. Health and Social Care in the Community, 2025 (828118):1-16. [Link] [DOI] | |
| 2024 | 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 :110-120. [Link] [DOI] | |
| 2023 | Casey, H., Trayer, A. 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, . [DOI] [Full-Text] | |
| 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] | |
| 2021 | Beghean R.; Coffey L. (2021) '“You either sink or you swim, and you're better off swimming”: A qualitative study exploring the self-management experiences of soft tissue sarcoma survivors'. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 55 . [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] | |
| 2019 | Coffey, L., Mahon, C., & Gallagher, P. (2019) 'Perceptions and experiences of diabetic foot ulceration and foot care in people with diabetes: A qualitative meta‐synthesis'. International Wound Journal, 16 (1):183-210. [Link] http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/iwj.13010 [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 | 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] | |
| 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] | |
| 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] | |
| 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 to 2015'. Psycho-Oncology, 26 (2):149-160. [Link] [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 | 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] | |
| 2015 | Dunne S, Coffey L, Gallagher P, Desmond D (2015) '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] | |
| 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 (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 | 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; 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] | |
| 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] | |
| 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] |
Other Journal
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Jefferies P, Coffey L, Gallagher P (2012) 'The efficacy of psychosocial factors in predicting pain and functional outcomes following knee replacement surgery' Evidence-Based Nursing, 15 :92-93. [DOI] [Full-Text] | |
| 2010 | Coffey L, Gallagher P, Desmond D (2010) 'Post amputation depression' Diabetes Professional, 6 :22-23. |
Conference Publication
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Casey, H., Desmond, D., & Coffey, L. (2023) Nordic Network on Disability Research 16th Research Conference The perceptions and experiences of adults with intellectual disability regarding supported decision-making: A qualitative study Reykjavik, Iceland, [Link] | |
| 2021 | Casey, H., Desmond, D., & Coffey, L. (2021) 6th International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD) Europe Congress Mothers' perspectives on providing supported decision making to adults with intellectual disability https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12917 | |
| 2019 | Maguire, R., Hanly, P., Coffey, L., Desmond, D. & Maguire, P. (2019) MS Frontiers The influence of expectations on quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis: a protocol for a systematic review Bath, UK, | |
| 2019 | Clarke, N., Dunne, S., Coffey, L., Desmond, D., Sharp, L., O’Sullivan, E., Conrad, T., Cullen, C., & Gallagher, P. (2019) 21st World Congress of Psycho-Oncology Relationships between health literacy, self-management and quality of life in head and neck cancer survivors following primary treatment [Link] | |
| 2019 | Clarke, N., Coffey, L., Desmond, D., Dunne, S., Timon, C., Sharp, L., & Gallagher, P. (2019) 21st World Congress of Psycho-Oncology The SEA-CHANGE study: Protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial of the SElf-management After Cancer of the Head And Neck Group intErvention [Link] | |
| 2018 | Dunne, S., Coffey, L., Sharp, L., Desmond, D., Gooberman-Hill, R., O'Sullivan, E., Timmons, A., Keogh, I., Timon, C., Gallagher, P. (2018) 20th World Congress of Psycho-Oncology Making sense of existential concerns arising from head and neck cancer: A qualitative study https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.4878 | |
| 2017 | Dunne, S., Coffey, L., Sharp, L., Timmons, A., Desmond, D., Gooberman-Hill, R., O’Sullivan, E., Keogh, I., Timon, C., & Gallagher, P. (2017) 14th Psychology, Health and Medicine Annual Conference Head and neck cancer survivors’ experiences of self-managing their condition following primary treatment | |
| 2016 | Cullen, C., Coffey, L., Dunne, S., O’Connor, J., Desmond, D., Sharp, L., Timmons, A., O’Sullivan, E., Keogh, I., Sheahan, P., Timon, C., & Gallagher, P. (2016) 10th International Conference Quality of Life in Head and Neck Cancer Relationships between self-management and quality of life (HRQL) in post-primary treatment head and neck cancer survivors | |
| 2016 | Dunne, S., Coffey, L., Sharp, L., Timmons, A., Desmond, D., Gooberman-Hill, R., O’Sullivan, E., Keogh, I., Timon, C., & Gallagher, P. (2016) 10th International Conference Quality of Life in Head and Neck Cancer Head and neck cancer survivors’ experiences of self-managing their condition following primary treatment | |
| 2016 | Cullen, C., Coffey, L., Dunne, S., O'Connor, J., Desmond, D., Sharp, L., O'Sullivan, E., Keogh, I., Timon, C., & Gallagher, P. (2016) 2016 World Congress of Psycho-oncology Investigating the role of self-management strategies as predictors of health-related quality of life (HRQL) in head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.4272 | |
| 2015 | Dunne, S., Coffey, L., Sharp, L., Timmons, A., Desmond, D., O’Sullivan, E., Keogh, I., Timon, C., & Gallagher, P. (2015) All-Ireland National Cancer Institute Cancer Consortium Conference Investigating the psychological factors that predict quality of life in head and neck cancer: A 10-year systematic review | |
| 2015 | Gallagher, P., Coffey, L. , Dunne, S., Sharp, L., Timmons, A., Desmond, D., O'Sullivan, E., & Timon, C. (2015) 55th Annual Meeting of the Irish Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Society Self-management for head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors: living well with and beyond HNC https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-015-1258-9 | |
| 2014 | Dunne, S., Coffey, L., Gallagher, P., & Desmond, D. (2014) 11th Psychology, Health and Medicine Annual Conference Beyond function: Using assistive technologies following lower limb loss | |
| 2014 | Dunne, S., Coffey, L., Sharp, L., Timmons, A., Desmond, D., O’Sullivan, E., Keogh, I., Timon, C., & Gallagher, P. (2014) 9th International Conference Quality of Life in Head and Neck Cancer Psychological predictors of quality of life in head and neck cancer: A 10-year systematic review | |
| 2014 | Dunne, S., Mooney, O., Coffey, L., Desmond, D., O’Sullivan, E., Sharp, L., Timmons, A., Timon, C., & Gallagher, P. (2014) Irish Cancer Society Survivorship Research Day Psychological predictors of quality of life in head and neck cancer: A 10-year systematic review | |
| 2014 | Coffey, L., Dunne, S., Sharp, L., Timmons, A., Desmond, D., Timon, C., O’Sullivan, E., & Gallagher, P. (2014) 9th International Conference Quality of Life in Head and Neck Cancer A qualitative study of health professionals’ perspectives on supporting self-management in head and neck cancer survivors | |
| 2013 | Gallagher, P., Coffey, L., Desmond, D., & Ryall, N. (2013) 14th World Congress of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics Goal strategies and psychosocial outcomes in people with a lower limb amputation | |
| 2013 | Coffey, L., Gallagher, P., & Desmond, D. (2013) 27th Conference of the European Health Psychology Society Examining psychosocial adjustment to lower limb amputation from a self-regulation perspective: A multilevel modelling approach https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2013.810851 | |
| 2013 | Coffey, L., Gallagher, P., Desmond, D., & Ryall, N. (2013) British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine Autumn Meeting The influence of goal management tendencies on trajectories of adjustment to lower limb amputation | |
| 2013 | Coffey, L., Gallagher, P., & Desmond, D. (2013) 10th Psychology, Health and Medicine Annual Conference A prospective study of goal characteristics, goal adjustment capacities, and subjective well-being following lower limb amputation | |
| 2012 | Coffey, L., Gallagher, P., & Desmond, D. (2012) 14th Annual Conference of the APA Division of Rehabilitation Psychology Psychosocial adjustment to lower limb amputation: The role of tenacious goal pursuit and flexible goal adjustment | |
| 2012 | Coffey, L., Gallagher, P., & Desmond, D. (2012) 26th Conference of the European Health Psychology Society Goal disengagement predicts psychosocial outcomes following prosthetic rehabilitation https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2012.707817 | |
| 2011 | Coffey, L., Gallagher, P., Desmond, D., Ryall, N., Carton, S., Byrne, P., & Dolan, E. (2011) 8th Psychology, Health and Medicine Annual Conference Psychosocial adjustment to lower limb amputation: The role of self-regulatory processes | |
| 2011 | Coffey, L., Gallagher, P, Desmond, D., Ryall, N., & Dolan, E. (2011) 25th Conference of the European Health Psychology Society Adaptive self-regulation and psychosocial adjustment to amputation https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2011.617182 | |
| 2010 | Gallagher, P., Desmond, D., Coffey, L., Horgan, O., & MacLachlan, M. (2010) 13th World Congress of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics Adjustment to amputation and body image | |
| 2006 | Coffey, L., & Byrne, M. (2006) 37th Annual Conference of the Psychological Society of Ireland Promoting a low-fat diet in primary care: A randomised controlled trial of a theory-based intervention | |
| 2006 | Coffey, L., & Byrne, M. (2006) 3rd Psychology, Health and Medicine Annual Conference The adoption of a low-fat diet in a primary care patient sample: A randomised control trial of a theory-based intervention |
Published Report
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Casey L, Bruce BC, Martin A, Reynolds A, Sheil G, Coffey L, Brown C, Hallissy M (2009) Digital Literacy: New Approaches to Participation and Inquiry Learning to Foster Literacy Skills among Primary School Children. National College of Ireland, . [Link] | |
| 2024 | Alaboson, J., Coffey, L., & Maguire, R. (2024) Experiences and Needs for Peer Support among People Affected by Multiple Sclerosis in Ireland: Survey summary. MS Ireland, . [Link] |
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] |
Conference Contribution
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Casey, H., Desmond, D., & Coffey, L. (2024) International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Engaging stakeholders in the development of a guide to support decision-making among adults with intellectual disabilities: A World Café approach Chicago, IL, 05/08/2024-08/08/2024. [Link] | |
| 2024 | Casey, H., Desmond, D., & Coffey, L. (2024) International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Decision-Making Within the Family Context: Perspectives of Family Carers on Supporting Adults with Intellectual Disabilities in Making Everyday Decisions Chicago, IL, 05/08/2024-08/08/2024. [Link] | |
| 2023 | Casey, H., & Coffey, L. (2023) IASW Social Workers in Disability Conference Carers’ perspectives on supporting the decision-making of adults with intellectual disabilities in the current Irish context Portlaoise, Co. Laois, 11/10/2023-11/10/2023. [Link] |
Certain data included herein are derived from the © Web of Science (2025) of Clarivate. All rights reserved.