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Jennifer Holly

PhD Student

Biography

I joined King’s in October 2020 after a long history of working for voluntary sector organisations in the field of domestic and sexual abuse. My areas of expertise are addressing the interlinked issues of trauma and abuse, mental health and substance use through improved policy and practice.

After having my own children, my interest in mental health extended to perinatal and maternal mental health. My PhD focuses on conceptualisations of maternal instinct, the links with perinatal mental health, and how maternal parental self-efficacy can be supported.

I have a BA (Hons) in Modern Languages and European Studies (German and Russian) from the University of Bath, an MSc in Gender and Social Policy from LSE, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology from the University of Derby.

Research Interests

  • Trauma and abuse
  • Perinatal mental health
  • Maternal mental health
  • Self-efficacy
  • Practitioner training and development

Research

iStock WMH 900
Section of Women’s Mental Health

The Section of Women’s Mental Health (SWMH) undertakes mental health services and policy research with a primary focus on women’s mental health. We carry out global research into the gendered determinants of mental health problems and the needs of women with mental health problems using epidemiological and qualitative methods and develop and evaluate interventions to meet those needs and inform health policy. Our work contributes to policymaking and healthcare practice both nationally and internationally.

Research

iStock WMH 900
Section of Women’s Mental Health

The Section of Women’s Mental Health (SWMH) undertakes mental health services and policy research with a primary focus on women’s mental health. We carry out global research into the gendered determinants of mental health problems and the needs of women with mental health problems using epidemiological and qualitative methods and develop and evaluate interventions to meet those needs and inform health policy. Our work contributes to policymaking and healthcare practice both nationally and internationally.