Nursing and Human Sciences

Biographical Details:

Gemma Kiernan (B.A., Ph.D. Grad. Dip. Coun & Psychotherapy) is a Lecturer in Psychology and Psychotherapy in the School of Nursing and Human Sciences at Dublin City University. She has worked in the health, education and social services sector for a number of years holding the posts of Senior Staff Director in Barretstown, Organisational Development Manager in Barnardos and Assistant Director in the Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education in St Patrick's College, Drumcondra. She participates on numerous external committees to advise on research initiatives and work in the areas of early intervention, pedagogy, family support and service provision.

Research Interests:

Gemma's research is predominantly concerned with understanding and improving children¿s psychosocial health and development in the areas of illness, disability, loss and educational disadvantage. It involves the application of high quality research designs and evidence to practice to maximise the contribution of services in these areas. Specific objectives include: To explore children¿s and their families and health professionals perceptions and experiences of serious illness, disability and loss; To identify the factors influencing psychosocial adjustment to serious illness, disability and loss at individual and family level; To explore the psycho-social factors which influence the development and well-being of children at risk of educational disadvantage; To evaluate the effectiveness of service responses in these areas.

Selected Peer Reviewed Journals

• Amory, A., Coyne, I. Kiernan, G. & Gibson, F. 2011. An exploration of parents¿ experiences of communication and information-sharing with their child who has cancer. Submitted to Child: Care, Health and Development.
• Kiernan, G., Meyler, E. & Guerin, S. 2010. Psychosocial issues and care in pediatric oncology: Medical and nursing professionals' perceptions. Cancer Nursing. 33, 5
• Meyler, E., Guerin, S., Kiernan, G & Breathnach, F. 2010. A Review of Family Based psychosocial Interventions for Families Affected by Childhood Cancer. Journal of Paediatric Psychology. 35, 10, pp1116-1132.
• Gallagher, P., O'Carroll, S., Buckmaster, A. Kiernan, G. & Geraghty, J. 2010. External breast prostheses in post-mastectomy care: Women¿s qualitative accounts. European Journal Of Cancer Care, 19, 1, pp61-71.
• Gallagher, P., O'Carroll, S., Buckmaster, A. Kiernan, G. & Geraghty, J. 2009. Experiences in the provision, fitting and supply of external breast prostheses: Findings from a national survey. European Journal Of Cancer Care, 18, 6
• Hartnett, E., Gallagher, P., Kiernan, G., Poulsen, C., Gilligan, E. & Reyolds, M. 2008. Day service programmes for people with a severe intellectual disability and quality of life: Parent and Staff Perspectives. Journal Of Intellectual Disabilities, 12(2), , pp153-172.
• Kiernan, G., Axford, N., Murphy, C., Greene, S. & Little, M. 2008. The school readiness of children living in a disadvantaged area in Ireland. Journal of Early Childhood Research. 6(2), , pp119-144.
• Kiernan, G. & Walsh, T. 2005. When two are one: The changing nature of early childhood care and education in Ireland. Irish Educational Studies, 23(2),
• Kiernan, G., Guerin, S. & MacLachlan, M. 2005. Children's Voices: Qualitative data from the Barretstown Studies. Journal Of Advanced Nursing, 42(7), , pp733-741.
• Kiernan, G., Gormley, M. & MacLachlan, M. 2004. Factor analysis of The Perceived Illness Experience Scale; Data from the 'Barretstown Studies'. Behavioral Medicine, 30 (1),, pp23-31.
• Kiernan, G., Gormley, M. & MacLachlan, M. (2004). 2004. Outcomes associated with participation in a therapeutic recreation camping programme: Data from the 'Barretstown Studies'. 59(5),, pp903-913.
• Kiernan, G. & MacLachlan M. 2002. Children's perspectives of therapeutic recreation; Data from the 'Barretstown Studies'. Journal Of Health Psychology, 7(5),, pp599-614.
• Kiernan, G., Laurent J., Joiner, T., Catanzaro S. & MacLachlan M. 2001. Cross cultural analysis of the Tripartite Model; Data from the 'Barretstown Studies'. J. 77 (2),, pp359-380.

Selected Books

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Selected Chapters

• Guerin, S. & Kiernan, G. 2004. Child development during primary school. Primary Options: How to choose the Rigth School for yuor Child by E. Gaire & Oliver Mahon (Eds)

Selected Non-peer Reviewed Journals

• Dowling, M., Kiernan, G. & Guerin, S. (2007). 2007. Responding to the needs of children who are bereaved in Ireland: A focus on services in Ireland. The Irish Psychologist., 33(10), pp259-262.
• Meyler, E., Guerin, S. & Kiernan, G. (2006). 2006. Conceptualising recreation and leisure as a therapeutic intervention: The Irish context. The Irish Psychologist, 33(2), 19-24,

• Kiernan G., Srious Fun: Therapeutic recreation at Barretstown and its effects on childre with life threating illnesses., The Promotion of Health of Childre with Chronic Diseases and Special Needs through Recreation and Sports , - , Nicosia, Cypress
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• Kiernan, G., The support of children with life threatening illness through Barretstown's family and sibling therapeutic recreation programme., The Promotion of Health of Childre with Chronic Diseases and Special Needs through Recreation and Sports, - , Nicosia, Cypress
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• Dowling, M., Kiernan, G., & Guerin., Understanding the experience of bereavement and counselling among children and families, 41st Annual Conference of Psychological Society of Ireland, 11-NOV-11 - 13-NOV-11, Galway, Ireland
• Guerin, S. & Kiernan, G. , Understanding the nature of serious childhood illness and bereavement in families: Implications for professionals., 41st Annual Conference of Psychological Society of Ireland, 11-NOV-11 - 13-NOV-11, Galway, Ireland
• Hanlon, P., Guerin, S. & Kiernan, G., Exploring the role of therapeutic recreation in supporting families who have lost a child to serious illness. , 41st Annual Conference of Psychological Society of Ireland, 11-NOV-11 - 13-NOV-11, Galway, Ireland
• Kiernan, G., Courtney, E. Guerin, S., Ryan, K. & McQuillan, R. , Identifying and responding to the palliative care needs of children with congenital neurodevelopmental disability and their families. , 41st Annual Conference of Psychological Society of Ireland, 11-NOV-11 - 13-NOV-11, Galway, Ireland
• Amory, A., Coyne, I., Gibson, F. & Kiernan, G. , Exploration of Parents¿Preferences for Information Sharing with Children With Cancer., 40th Annual Conference of the Psychological Society of Ireland, 11-NOV-10 - 14-NOV-10, Westmeath, Ireland
• Coyne, I., Amory, A. , Gibson, F. & Kiernan, G. , Children¿s participation in decision-making: Is it facilitating agency or ensuring adherence/compliance to treatment?, 40th Annual Conference of the Psychological Society of Ireland,, 11-NOV-10 - 14-NOV-10, Westmeath, Ireland
• Amory, A., Coyne, I., Gibson, F. & Kiernan, G., Exploration of Parents preferences for Information Sharing with Children With Cancer., 42nd Congress of The International Society of Paediatric Oncology, Boston, 21-24th October. (Oral)., 21-OCT-10 - 24-OCT-10, Boston, USA.
• Coyne, I., Amory, A. , Gibson, F. & Kiernan, G., Children with cancer: Children, parents, and health professionals¿ perspectives on children¿s participation in decision making., 42nd Congress of The International Society of Paediatric Oncology., 21-OCT-10 - 24-OCT-10, Boston USA
• Carey, J., Kiernan,G. & Guerin, S., the impact of equine assisted learning as an intervention aimed at promoting psychological and social well-being amongst young people with behavioural issues, 6th Annual Conference of the European Association of Horse Assisted Education, 10-OCT-10 - 10-OCT-10, England
• Guerin, S. & Kiernan, G. , Pediatric Psycho-Oncology in Ireland, Psychological Society of Ireland Annual General Conference, 20-NOV-08 - 23-NOV-08, Carlow, Ireland
• Guerin, S. Meyler, E. Kiernan, G. & Breathnach, F. . , Parents¿ Perspectives on a Therapeutic Programme for Families Affected by Childhood Cancer , Psychological Society of Ireland Annual General Conference, 20-NOV-08 - 23-NOV-08, Carlow, Ireland
• Meyler, E., Guerin, S.,Kiernan, G. & Breathnach, F. , Exploring the Psychological Impact of Childhood Cancer on Families, Psychological Society of Ireland Annual General Conference, 20-NOV-08 - 23-NOV-08, Carlow, Ireland
• Meyler, E. Guerin, S. & Kiernan, G., Psychosocial factors associated with the impact of childhood cancer on families., International Psycho-Oncology Conference,, 09-JUN-08 - 13-JUN-08, Madrid, Spain
• Kiernan, G. Guerin, S. & Meyler E., Medical professional¿s perceptions of psychological interventions for childhood cancer., International Psycho-Oncology Conference,, 09-JUN-08 - 13-JUN-08, Madrid, Spain
• Guerin, S. Meyler, E. & Kiernan, G., Parents¿ experiences of a therapeutic programme for families effected by childhood cancer., International Psycho-Oncology Conference, 09-JUN-08 - 13-JUN-08, Madrid, Spain
• Guerin, S. & Kiernan, G., The development of paediatric Psych-Oncology In Ireland. International Psycho-Oncology Conference, Madrid, 9-13 June. (Oral), International Psycho-Oncology Conference,, 09-JUN-08 - 13-JUN-08, Madrid Spain
• Meyler, E., Guerin, S. Kiernan, G and Breathnach, F., Evaluating the Psychosocial Imapact of a Family Therepeutic Recreation Programme., International Psycho-Oncology Conference, 16-SEP-07 - 20-SEP-07, London, England
• Gallagher P, O'Carroll S, Buckmaster A, Kiernan G & Geraghty J., Experiences of Irish women regarding breast prostesis use, the provision of services and their impact on quality of life., Psychological Society of Ireland Annual Conference, 09-NOV-06 - 12-NOV-06, Galway, Ireland
• Dowling M, Kiernan G & Guerin, S., Responding to the needs of childrn who hav been bereaved., Psychological Society of Ireland Annual Conference, 09-NOV-06 - 12-NOV-06, Galway, Ireland
• Meyler E, Guerin S, Kiernan G. & Breathnach F., Using mixed methods to evaluate a programme designed to reduce the impact of childhood cancer on the family., Psychological Society of Ireland Annual Conference, 09-NOV-06 - 12-NOV-06, Galway, Ireland
• Gallagher P, O'Carroll S, Buckmaster A, Kiernan G & Geraghty J, A national study of external breast prostesis use and quality of life., 7th Annual Interdisciplinary Reserch Conference, Transforming Healthcare Through Resarch, Education and Technology, 08-NOV-06 - 10-NOV-06, Dublin, Ireland
• Meyler E, Guerin S Kiernan G, & Breathnach F ., Examining the psychosocial impact of childhood cancer on Irish families and the role of a therapeutic recreation pogram in mitigating this impact., World Congress of Psycho-Oncology, 18-OCT-06 - 21-OCT-06, Venice, Italy
• Gallagher P, O'Carroll S, Buckmaster A, Kiernan G & Geraghty J., an investigation of women's needs in and experiences of the provision, fitting and supply of breast prostheses in Ireland., 2nd Annual HealthQWest Reserach Conference, 12-SEP-06 - 13-SEP-06, Scotland
• Gallagher P, O'Carroll S, Buckmaster A, Kiernan G & Geraghty J., External breast prostheses and post mastectomy care: a national study of womens' needs and experiences., UICC World Cancer Congress, 08-JUL-06 - 12-JUL-06, Washington, USA
• Gallagher P, O'Carroll S, Buckmaster A, Kiernan G & Geraghty J., An investigation of women's needs in and experiences of the provision, fitting and supply of breast prostheses in Ireland., Health Research Board's Today's Research is Tomorrow's Healthcare Conference, 13-JUN-06 - 14-JUN-06, Dublin, Ireland
• Gallagher P, O'Carroll S, Buckmaster A, Kiernan G & Geraghty J., External breast prostheses and post mastectomy care: a national study of womens' needs and experiences., Health4Life Conference, 31-MAY-06 - 02-JUN-06, Dublin, Ireland
• Gallagher P, O'Carroll S, Buckmaster A, Kiernan G & Geraghty J., The provision of breast prostheses in Ireland., Irish Breast Care Nurses Association Annual Conference, 13-APR-06 - , Dublin, Ireland
• Gallagher P, O Carroll S, Buckmaster A, Kiernan G, & Geraghty J., An investigation of women's needs in and expereinces of the provision, fitting and supply of external breast prostheses in Ireland., 5th European Breast Cancer Conference, 21-MAR-06 - 25-MAR-06, Nice, France
• Kiernan G & Murphy C, Ready to Start? Understanding influences on school readiness in a disadvantaged community., National Educational Psychological Service Annual General Conference, 05-DEC-05 - 07-DEC-05, Wicklow, Ireland
• Gallagher, P., O¿Carroll, S., Buckmaster, A. Kiernan, G. & Geraghty, J., The needs and experiences of women fitted with a breast prosthesis: A qualitative account., The Psychological Society of Ireland Annual Conference, Ireland., 17-NOV-05 - 20-NOV-05, Ireland
• Meyler E, Kiernan G & Guerin S., Evaluating therapeutic recreation programmes for children and their families, European Health Psychology Conference, 31-AUG-05 - 03-SEP-05, Galway, Ireland
• Kiernan G & Walsh T., When two are one: The changing nature of early childhood care and education in Ireland., Educational Studies Association of Ireland Annual Conference, 04-APR-04 - 06-APR-04, Dublin, Ireland
• Kiernan G., Early childhood care and education in Ireland: Policy, practice & research., Educational Disadvantage Committee Meeting, Department of Education, 15-MAR-04 - , Dublin, Ireland
• Kiernan G & Schonfeld, H, Building a quality early childhood care and education system in Ireland: The story so far., International Step by Step Association (ISSA) Annual General Conference, 14-OCT-03 - 17-OCT-03, Prague, The Czech Republic
• Kiernan G., The best for children: Developing quality standards for early childhood care and education in Ireland., National Children's Nurseries Association Annual General Conference, 05-OCT-03 - , Dublin, Ireland
• Kiernan G., Co-ordinating an approach to achieve the best for young children in Ireland., Kilkenny County Childcare Committee launch, 13-JUN-03 - , Kilkenny Ireland
• Kiernan G., The best for children: developing quality in early childhood care and education in Ireland., Carlow County Chilcare Quality Event, 23-MAR-03 - 23-MAR-03, Carlow, Ireland
• Kiernan G and Guerin S, Combining Research and Practice., HOle in the Wall Gang Camps (H.I.W.G.C.) Medical Conference, 28-SEP-02 - , Ireland
• Kiernan G, Evaluating therapeutic recreation programmes for children with life-threatening illness and their siblings., Psychological Society of Ireland Special Interest Group in Child and Adolescent Psychology, 12-FEB-01 - , Dublin, Ireland
• Kiernan G & MacLachlan M, Children's Voices: Shaping the development of The Barretstown Ganag Camp., Psychological Society of Ireland Annual Conference, 30-DEC-99 - , Ireland
• Kiernan G, MacLachlan M & Dignan T, The Barretstown Gang Camp, ireland: A therapeutic recreation prgramme to support children with illnesses, their siblings and their families., International Forum for Child Welfare Annual Conference, 30-AUG-99 - 04-SEP-99, Finland
• Kiernan G & MacLachlan M., The impact of atending The Barretstown Gang Camp for children affected by life threatening illnesses., 29th Annual Conference of the Psychological Society of Ireland, 12-NOV-98 - 15-NOV-98, Ireland
• Kiernan G & Perry J, Camp Progarmme Evaluations: Are we meeting our objectives?, Confederation of Oncology Camps America Annual Conference, 01-OCT-98 - , Colarado, USA
• Kiernan G & MacLachlan M, Examining the effects of therapeutic recreation at The Barretstown Gang Camp for children with life threatening illnesses and their siblings., 12th Conference of the European Health Psychology Society, 31-AUG-98 - 02-SEP-98, Vienna, Austria