Alexandros Kapatais

Thesis title: Adapting Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice (MBSP) to Improve University Students' Wellbeing: A Public and Patient Involvement Study

Biography

Background

I have completed  a Psychology BSc at the University of Nottingham, before continuing to study a two-year MSc in Developmental Psychology and Clinical Practice at University College London and the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families. As part of the MSc I was on placement within a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service for looked after children. Following the MSc, I worked as a research assistant at the University of Nicosia, and was a private tutor  teaching quantitative and qualitative research methods and statistics to undergraduate and postgraduate students. 

Responsibilities & affiliations

Between 2022-2025 I have worked within the Curriculum Transformation Project for the development of the Lead Well Framework, an initiative aimed to embed wellbeing in the curriculum. I contributed toward the design and delivery of workshops to promote undergraduate student's wellbeing and engagement.

 

 

 

Postgraduate teaching

2024 - 2025:

  • Psychological Research Methods: Data Management and Analysis
  • Research Methods in Applied Psychology

 

2025 - 2026:

  • Psychological Research Methods: Data Management and Analysis
  • Research Methods in Applied Psychology
  • Inferential Statistics in Applied Psychology

 

 

Research summary

My research interests centre around the application of Positive Psychology to enhance university student wellbeing and engagement.

 

 

Current research interests

My PhD thesis focusses on the adaptation of Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice (MBSP) in improving student wellbeing and engagement. Firstly, my thesis investigates the effectiveness of MBSP in adults, using a systematic review and meta-analysis. Secondly, university students' opinions and preferences of MBSP are explored using focus groups. And thirdly, using the results from the second study, an adaptation of MBSP will be created,and delivered to university students with the aim of assessing its feasibility and acceptability. What is Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice? Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice (MBSP) is an 8-week evidence-based group program that integrates the use of mindfulness practices with the identification and application of personal character strengths (e.g., creativity, curiosity, bravery, gratitude) to promote overall well-being, resilience, and positive relationships. Key Components Mindfulness Practices: These include guided meditations, breathing exercises, and body scans to cultivate awareness and reduce stress. Character Strengths Focus: Participants explore, recognize, and intentionally apply their top strengths in daily life through exercises like journaling, reflections, and targeted activities and discussions. Examples include using one's top strengths to overcome obstacles in daily life, and leveraging top strengths to achieve one's potential. Integration: Mindfulness supports the identification and application of character strengths. And in turn, certain character strengths such as awareness, curiosity, and patience support mindfulness practice in a positive self-reinforcing cycle.

Past research interests

I have previously worked in projects examining self-harmful and suicidal behaviours, disordered eating and mindfulness.

Jernslett, M., Anastassiou-Hadjicharalambous, X., Lioupi, C., Syros, I., Kapatais, A., Karamanoli, V., ... & Lotzin, A. (2022). Disentangling the associations between past childhood adversity and psychopathology during the COVID-19 pandemic: the mediating roles of specific pandemic stressors and coping strategies. Child abuse & neglect, 105673. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105673

 

Kapatais, A., Williams, A. J., & Townsend, E. (2022). The mediating role of emotion regulation on self-harm among gender identity and sexual orientation minority (LGBTQ+) individuals. Archives of suicide research, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/13811118.2022.2064254

 

Koushiou, M., Kapatais, A., Iasonidou, E., Adonis, M., Ferreira, N. (2021). The moderating role of body image inflexibility in the relation between weight concerns and symptoms of eating disorders in Cypriot University students. Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.13129/2282-1619/mjcp-2977

 

Kapatais, A., Thackeray, L., & Lecchi, T. (2019, September) Facilitators and Barriers of the therapeutic alliance in videoconferencing therapy. Poster presented at the Separation and Unity Conference of the Society for Psychotherapy Research, Krakow, Poland.

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