PhD Study : Reduction of face-touching to limit COVID19 and other infection

Summary

The COVID19 pandemic (World Health Organization, 2020) was caused by a virus but also by human behaviour. From 2020 to 2021, social gatherings were banned and social distancing rules were introduced in many countries to minimise person-to-person transmission of the virus (Fong et al., 2020). However, other personal behaviour contributes to infection by any virus. Viral infection often proceeds through contact of the person’s hand with an infected surface (e.g., a door handle) followed by contact of the hand with the person’s face and this contributes to COVID19 transmission (Han et al, 2020). Research has shown that we touch our faces about 23 times per hour, and this creates a major pathway for the spread of infection. There are also specific locations, such as care homes, where social distancing is difficult, but infection control is even more important because of the presence of vulnerable elderly residents. There is an urgent need to bring our scientific knowledge to bear on these important problems.

This study will  be a novel contribution to the emerging field of behavioural safety (Cooper, 2009). The research will build on our initial findings in a newly developed face-touching lab. We ask participants to spend some time in a simulated office environment where we can monitor face-touching using various techniques, including the application of “Glo Germ”, a product that simulates viral or bacterial transmission by leaving traces that can be seen under UV light. The science of applied behaviour analysis (ABA) suggests a number of strategies whereby individuals can be trained to refrain from the face-touching that otherwise occurs frequently and aids viral transmission (see, for example, Leslie. 2002; Leslie & O’Reilly, 2003).

Objectives of the Research:

Objectives will be to evaluate the effectiveness of several behavioural strategies in reducing face-touching in the lab, and then use these results to contribute to the development of a training protocol that could be used to train staff to stop touching their faces while in work situations such as care-homes and thus reduce the incidental transmission of COVID19 and other viruses.

Methods to be used:

Experiments using small numbers of participants and single-subject designs will to be carried out in the face-touching lab to record face touching and other relevant behaviour, and then evaluate different types of feedback, delivered through movement-sensitive wristbands, with or without other instructional training to suppress face touching.

Skills required of applicant:

The applicant should hold or expect to achieve an Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1) or First-Class Honours Degree in Psychology or a cognate field. The applicant should also have knowledge of and interest in ABA.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

Funding and eligibility