Staff Profile

Hannah is a Research Associate in the Population Health Sciences Institute. Hannah's research interests focus on the experiences of formal and informal support for young people with disabilities and their family. 

Qualifications

PhD, "Exploring grandparenthood in the context of grandchild disability: intergeneration perspectives", Newcastle University, 2020 

MSc Psychological Research, University of Sheffield, 2010

BSc Psychology, University of Sheffield, 2009  

Hannah is currently a research associate on the Health Checks for Autistic Adults trial, which aims to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a health check in primary care for autistic adults.

Hannah previously worked on the NIHR-funded project: Recovery, Renewal and Reset of Services to Disabled Children. Carrying out a rapid review of service changes and carrying out interviews with professionals and families about their experience of service change during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Prior to returning to Newcastle University, Hannah worked as Research Fellow at the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families working on a range of projects evaluating interventions and services to support young people's wellbeing and mental health. 

• Articles

  • Pennington L, Merrick H, Allard A, Morris C, Parr JR. The experience of children with disabilities and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic; what lessons can we learn?. Paediatrics and Child Health 2024, 45, 651-684.
  • Merrick H, Driver H, Main C, Pott L, Russell S, Exley C, Allard A, Morris C, Parr JR, Pennington L. Professionals perspectives on facilitators and barriers for high quality provision of health, education and social care services to disabled children in England during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study. BMJ Open 2024, 14, e085143.
  • Merrick H, Morris C, Allard A, Parr JR, Pennington L. Policy and practice recommendations for services for disabled children during emergencies: Learning from COVID-19. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology 2024.
  • Jacob J, Merrick H, Lane R, Cracknell L, Labno A, D'Souza S, White J, Edbrooke-Childs J. “Containing the Network”: Referrers’ Experiences of the Community Forensic CAMHS Consultation and Liaison Model. International Journal of Forensic Mental Health 2024, 23(3), 264-276.
  • Merrick H, Driver H, Main C, Kenny RPW, Richmond C, Allard A, Bola K, Morris C, Parr JR, Pearson F, Pennington L. Impacts of health care service changes implemented due to COVID-19 on children and young people with long-term disability: A mapping review. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology 2023, 65(7), 885-899.
  • O'Neil A, Stapley E, Stock S, Merrick H, Humphrey N. Adolescents' understanding of what causes emotional distress: a qualitative exploration in a non-clinical sample using ideal-type analysis. Frontiers in Public Health 2021, 9, 673321.
  • Merrick H, King C, McConachie H, Parr JR, Le Couteur A. Experience of transfer from child to adult mental health services of young people with autism spectrum disorder. BJPsych Open 2020, 6(4), e58.
  • Uljarevic M, Richdale AL, McConachie H, Hedley D, Cai RY, Merrick H, Parr JR, Le Couteur A. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale: Factor structure and psychometric properties in older adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Research 2018, 11(2), 258-269.
  • Colver A, McConachie H, Le Couteur A, Dovey-Pearce G, Mann KD, McDonagh JE, Pearce MS, Vale L, Merrick H, Parr J. A longitudinal, observational study of the features of transitional healthcare associated with better outcomes for young people with long-term conditions. BMC Medicine 2018, 16, 111.
  • Merrick H, McConachie H, LeCouteur A, Mann K, Parr JR, Pearce MS, Colver A. Characteristics of young people with long term conditions close to transfer to adult health services. BMC Health Services Research 2015, 15, 435.
  • Eiser C, Merrick H, Arden-Close E, Morris K, Rowe R, Pacey AA. Why don’t some men with banked sperm respond to letter about their stored sample?. Human Fertility 2014, 17(4).
  • Pacey AA, Merrick H, Arden-Close E, Morris K, Tomlinson M, Rowe R, Eiser C. How do men in the United Kingdom decide to dispose of banked sperm following cancer treatment?. Human Fertility 2014, 17(4), 285-288.
  • Colver AF, Merrick H, Deverill M, Lecouteur A, Parr J, Pearce MS, Rapley T, Vale L, Watson R, McConachie H, on behalf of the Transition Collaborative Group. Study protocol: longitudinal study of the transition of young people with complex health needs from child to adult health services. BMC Public Health 2013, 13(1), 675.
  • Pacey AA, Merrick H, Arden-Close E, Morris K, Tomlinson M, Wright E, Rowe R, Eiser C. Monitoring fertility (semen analysis) by cancer survivors who banked sperm prior to cancer treatment. Human Reproduction 2013, 27.
  • Pacey AA, Merrick H, Arden-Close E, Morris K, Tomlinson M, Wright E, Rowe R, Stark D, Eiser C. Implications of sperm banking for health-related quality of life up to 1 year after cancer diagnosis. British Journal of Cancer 2013, 108.
  • Martijn C, Sheeran P, Wesseldijk L, Merrick H, Webb TL, Roefs A, Jansen A. Evaluative Conditioning Makes Slim Models Less Desirable as Standards for Comparison and Increases Body Satisfaction. Health Psychology 2013, 32(4).
  • Merrick H, Wright E, Pacey AA, Eiser C. Finding out about sperm banking: what information is available on-line for men diagnosed with cancer?. Human Fertility 2012, 15(3).

• Review

  • Stapely E, Vainieri I, Li E, Merrick H, Jeffrey M, Foreman S, Casey P, Ullman R, Cortina M. A scoping review of the factors that influence families' ability or capacity to provide young people with emotional support over the transition to adulthood. Frontiers in Psychology 2021, 12, 732899.