Dr Amy Griffiths

Lecturer in Psychology, Psychology

a.r.griffiths@swansea.ac.uk

Basic Welsh Speaker

Office - 710
Seventh Floor
Vivian Building
Singleton Campus

Available For Postgraduate Supervision

Research Links

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5014-1539

ResearchGate

Google Scholar

About

Amy Griffiths (formerly Romijn) is a lecturer in Psychology and teaches on our BSc and MSc programmes. She is a biological psychologist with expertise in nutrition and mental health. Her PhD focused on the associations between the gut microbiome and depression, and other areas of research interest include omega 3 fatty acids, nutritional supplements, inflammation and immune function, and links between autism, sleep and nutrition. At the moment she is also involved in several projects related to student wellbeing.

Areas Of Expertise

Nutrition and mental health
The gut microbiome
Nutritional supplementation
Nutrition and autism

Publications

Research Highlights

Johnstone, J., Hughes, A., Goldenberg, J., Griffiths, A., & Rucklidge, J. (2020). Multinutrients for the Treatment of Psychiatric Symptoms in Clinical Samples: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients, 12(11), 3394
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12113394, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa57938
Griffiths, A. (2015). The Emerging Field of Nutritional Mental Health: Inflammation, the Microbiome, Oxidative Stress, and Mitochondrial Function. Clinical Psychological Science
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa40738
Kaplan, B., Rucklidge, J., Griffiths, A., & Dolph, M. (2015). A randomised trial of nutrient supplements to minimise psychological stress after a natural disaster. Psychiatry Research
https://doi.org/j.psychres.2015.05.080, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa40737
Griffiths, A. & Rucklidge, J. (2015). Systematic review of evidence to support the theory of psychobiotics. Nutrition Reviews, 73(10), 675-693.
https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuv025, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa40735
Griffiths, A., Rucklidge, J., Kuijer, R., & Frampton, C. (2017). A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacterium longum for the symptoms of depression. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 51(8), 810-821.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0004867416686694, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa40734
Purcell, C., Romijn, A., & Griffiths, A. (2017). Appropriateness of different pedagogical approaches to road safety education for children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Research in Developmental Disabilities, 70, 85-93.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2017.08.010, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa40733
Purcell, C. & Griffiths, A. (2020). Teaching children road safety using a simulated environment. Journal of Education and Educational Development, 7(1), 44-54.
https://doi.org/10.22555/joeed.v7i1.2948, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58322
http://jmsnew.iobmresearch.com/index.php/joeed/article/view/7
Griffiths, A., Latulippe, M., Snetselaar, L., Willatts, P., Melanson, L., Gershon, R., Tangney, C., & Young, H. (2023). Perspective: Advancing Dietary Guidance for Cognitive Health—Focus On Solutions to Harmonize Test Selection, Implementation, and Evaluation. Advances in Nutrition, 14(3), 366-378.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advnut.2023.03.010, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63524
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.advnut.2023.03.010

All Research

Journal Articles

Griffiths, A., Latulippe, M., Snetselaar, L., Willatts, P., Melanson, L., Gershon, R., Tangney, C., & Young, H. (2023). Perspective: Advancing Dietary Guidance for Cognitive Health—Focus On Solutions to Harmonize Test Selection, Implementation, and Evaluation. Advances in Nutrition, 14(3), 366-378.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advnut.2023.03.010, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63524
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.advnut.2023.03.010
Johnstone, J., Hughes, A., Goldenberg, J., Griffiths, A., & Rucklidge, J. (2020). Multinutrients for the Treatment of Psychiatric Symptoms in Clinical Samples: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients, 12(11), 3394
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12113394, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa57938
Purcell, C. & Griffiths, A. (2020). Teaching children road safety using a simulated environment. Journal of Education and Educational Development, 7(1), 44-54.
https://doi.org/10.22555/joeed.v7i1.2948, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58322
http://jmsnew.iobmresearch.com/index.php/joeed/article/view/7
Purcell, C., Romijn, A., & Griffiths, A. (2017). Appropriateness of different pedagogical approaches to road safety education for children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Research in Developmental Disabilities, 70, 85-93.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2017.08.010, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa40733
Griffiths, A., Rucklidge, J., Kuijer, R., & Frampton, C. (2017). A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacterium longum for the symptoms of depression. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 51(8), 810-821.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0004867416686694, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa40734
Griffiths, A. & Rucklidge, J. (2015). Systematic review of evidence to support the theory of psychobiotics. Nutrition Reviews, 73(10), 675-693.
https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuv025, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa40735
Kaplan, B., Rucklidge, J., Griffiths, A., & Dolph, M. (2015). A randomised trial of nutrient supplements to minimise psychological stress after a natural disaster. Psychiatry Research
https://doi.org/j.psychres.2015.05.080, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa40737
Griffiths, A. (2015). The Emerging Field of Nutritional Mental Health: Inflammation, the Microbiome, Oxidative Stress, and Mitochondrial Function. Clinical Psychological Science
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa40738

Supervision

The role of Taurine and 'peak focus' supplementation in the cognitive health of older adults in the context of plant-based diets. (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Hayley Young
Dietary Affordance: A Novel Concept to Identify Individual’s at Risk of Consuming a Sustainable but Unhealthy Diet. (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Hayley Young

Taught Modules

PS-M79 Empirical Projects

This is a central teaching component of the Masters programme involving the practical application of skills acquired in the other components of the course. In Semester 1, the students are taught to think conceptually about advanced experimental design, using a discussion-based approach in weekly one-hour seminars. By the end of semester 1, students are able to critically consider the optimum experimental approach to examine a range of psychological topics, and choose an appropriate design for their small-scale group research project. This is assessed by completion of an Open Science Framework format research protocol. In semester 2, students execute, analyse, and provide a written report on a small-scale project, working in a group of 4-5 students under the supervision of a member of staff working on the module. Throughout Semester 2, students continue to attend a weekly one-hour seminar/ workshop, where they discuss all aspects of research design, data analysis and interpretation, and project write-up.
PSA113 Biological Psychology

This module provides an introduction to biological psychology and the influence of the biological approach on the wider discipline of psychology. Through a series of lectures and tutorials this module will consider the structure and function of the brain and central nervous system and how they underpin human behaviour. The importance of understanding the role of hormones and neurotransmitters on physiology and behaviour as well as the biological basis of individual differences will be covered. These fundamental elements will be explored through by key topics such as emotions, motivated behaviour, language, sleep, learning and memory, and schizophrenia. The importance of understanding evolutionary psychology and gene environment interactions will also be integrated throughout the module.
PSY113 Biological Psychology

This module provides an introduction to biological psychology and the influence of the biological approach on the wider discipline of psychology. Through a series of lectures and tutorials this module will consider the structure and function of the brain and central nervous system and how they underpin human behavior. The importance of understanding the role of hormones and neurotransmitters on physiology and behavior as well as the biological basis of individual differences will be covered. These fundamental elements will be explored through key topics such as emotions, motivated behavior, language, sleep, learning and memory, and schizophrenia. The importance of understanding evolutionary psychology and gene environment interactions will also be integrated throughout the module.
PSY319 Independent Research Project

Students conduct an independent research project under the supervision of a member of staff. The research topic is decided in conjunction with supervisors and Research topics. Students must design, conduct, analyse and write up a piece of research in order to achieve Graduate Basis for Chartership with the British Psychological Society (BPS). They must also complete an Ethical Considerations Form, showing that they have considered and resolved ethical issues relating to their project, and that they have implemented appropriate best practices for improving the reproducibility of their research.
PSY319W Prosiect Ymchwil Annibynnol

Mae myfyrwyr yn cynnal prosiect ymchwil annibynnol dan oruchwyliaeth aelod o staff. Penderfynir ar bwnc yr ymchwil ar y cyd â goruchwylwyr a phynciau Ymchwil. Rhaid i fyfyrwyr ddylunio, cynnal, dadansoddi ac ysgrifennu darn o ymchwil er mwyn cyflawni Sail Graddedig ar gyfer Siarter gyda Chymdeithas Seicolegol Prydain (BPS). Rhaid iddynt hefyd lenwi Ffurflen Ystyriaethau Moesegol, gan ddangos eu bod wedi ystyried a datrys materion moesegol sy'n ymwneud â'u prosiect, a'u bod wedi gweithredu arferion gorau priodol ar gyfer gwella atgynyrchioldeb eu hymchwil.
PSY325 Independent Research Project - Joint Honours

Students conduct an independent research project under the supervision of a member of staff. The research topic is decided in conjunction with supervisors and research topics. Students must design, conduct, analyse and write up a piece of research in order to achieve Graduate Basis for Chartership with the British Psychological Society (BPS). They must also complete an ethical considerations form, showing that they have considered and resolved ethical issues relating to their project, and that they have implemented appropriate best practices for improving the reproducibility of their research.
PSY325W Prosiect Ymchwil Annibynnol - Anrhydeddau ar y Cyd

Mae myfyrwyr yn cynnal prosiect ymchwil annibynnol dan oruchwyliaeth aelod o staff. Penderfynir ar bwnc yr ymchwil ar y cyd â goruchwylwyr a phynciau ymchwil. Rhaid i fyfyrwyr ddylunio, cynnal, dadansoddi ac ysgrifennu darn o ymchwil er mwyn cyflawni Sail Graddedig ar gyfer Siarter gyda Chymdeithas Seicolegol Prydain (BPS). Rhaid iddynt hefyd lenwi ffurflen ystyriaethau moesegol, gan ddangos eu bod wedi ystyried a datrys materion moesegol sy'n ymwneud â'u prosiect, a'u bod wedi gweithredu arferion gorau priodol ar gyfer gwella atgynyrchioldeb eu hymchwil.

Dr Amy Griffiths

Email address

Welsh language proficiency

Twitter Account

LinkedIn Account

Research Links

About

Areas Of Expertise

Publications

Research Highlights

All Research

Journal Articles

Supervision

The role of Taurine and 'peak focus' supplementation in the cognitive health of older adults in the context of plant-based diets. (current)

Dietary Affordance: A Novel Concept to Identify Individual’s at Risk of Consuming a Sustainable but Unhealthy Diet. (current)

Taught Modules

PS-M79 Empirical Projects

PSA113 Biological Psychology

PSY113 Biological Psychology

PSY319 Independent Research Project

PSY319W Prosiect Ymchwil Annibynnol

PSY325 Independent Research Project - Joint Honours

PSY325W Prosiect Ymchwil Annibynnol - Anrhydeddau ar y Cyd