Dr Evan Matthews

Evan is a Lecturer in Physical activity, Health & Mental health promotion, and Co-Programme Director for the BSc Public Health and Health Promotion in the Department of Sport and Exercise Science, School of Health Sciences, SETU. Evan also supervises research projects at undergraduate and postgraduate level (BSc, MSc and PhD) across a broad range of Health Sciences topics.

Previously, Evan held Asst/Lecturer position in 'Healthcare Issues in Custodial Settings' (Higher Certificate in Custodial Care; School of Humanities, Waterford Institute of Technology). He has also lectured on the BSc in Applied Health Care (Department of Nursing and Healthcare, Waterford Institute of Technology).

Evan has research interests in health behaviours among marginalised populations such as those with mental health difficulty, substance use disorder and intellectual disability. He also has interests in mental health promotion and participatory research methods. Evan is an Early Career Member of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry and is on the ediortial board of Frontiers in Public Health (Mental health promotion specialism). Evan is currently supervising 3 PhD and 1 Msc students in a range of health science related projects. Evan's active research areas include: 

1. Lifestyle psychiatry 

2. Supporting physical health of people with high grade brain tumours 

3. Integrated exercise practitioners in Irish mental health services

5. Participatory research methods

4. Group-based dance exercise and cancer  

5. Community-based physical activity and mental health promotion

(combined investigator value of projects > € 430,000)

Publications

Solmi et al... (2023). Validation of the collaborative outcomes study on health and functioning during infection times (COH-FIT) questionnaire for adults. Journal of Affective Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2022.12.022

Ames, T. Matthews, E. Reynolds, A. Fitzhenry, L. Logan, A. Gooney, M. & Prior-Filipe, H. (2023; Under open review). How patient/public involvement impacts the research journey – an overview of the visually impaired research field.  DOI:10.12688/openreseurope.16057.1. Open Research Europe.

Scheibein, et al. (2022; Under review). A Systematic Review of Alternative Nicotine Delivery System (ANDS)-Based Interventions on Smoking-Related Health Outcomes Among Marginalised Population Groups. Preprint doi DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1048408/v1

Matthews, E. Cowman, M. Mulhare, B. Banville, E. Lederman, O. Kissane, S. Lowney, P. Ronan, F. & Denieffe, S (2022). A qualitative evaluation of a novel pilot exercise practitioner in outpatient child and adolescent mental health service in Ireland. Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/ipm.2022.45

Matthews, E. Cowman, M., Brannigan, M., Rosenbaum, S., Sloan, D., Ward.P.B., & Denieffe, S. (2022). Implementing experience-based co-design to develop a physical activity programme in recovery focused mental health services. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation. 29 (4). https://doi.org/10.12968/ijtr.2021.0101

Solmi et al...  (2022). The collaborative outcomes study on health and functioning during infection times in adults (COH-FIT-Adults): Design and methods of an international online survey targeting physical and mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Affective Disorders. 19. 10.1016/j.jad.2021.07.048

Solmi et al... (2022). Physical and mental health impact of COVID-19 on children, adolescents, and their families: The Collaborative Outcomes study on Health and Functioning during Infection Times -Children and Adolescents (COH-FIT-C&A). Journal of Affective Disorders. 10.1016/j.jad.2021.09.090

Denieffe S, Cowman M, Mulhare B, Banville E, O’ Riordan C, Harrison M, Egan T, Ormonde G & Matthews E. (2021). Evaluation of The Exercise Effect: A pilot project integrating an exercise practitioner into outpatient mental health services in Ireland. Waterford Institute of Technology. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5971792 (Technical report)

McKeon, G. Mastrogiovanni, C. Chapman, J. Stanton, R. Matthews, E. Steel, Z. Wells, R. & Rosenbaum, S. (2021). The experiences of peer-facilitators delivering a physical activity intervention for emergency service workers and their families. Mental Health and Physical Activity. 21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2021.100414.

Matthews, E. Van Hout, MC. Scheibein, F. & Cowman, M. (2021). A qualitative study of physical activity and dietary practices of people accessing opioid substitution treatment in Ireland. Heroin addiction and related clinical harms. 23(5): 37-45.

Matthews, E. Cowman, M. & Denieffe, S. (2020). Exploring the experiences of physical activity among key stakeholders in rehabilitation and recovery mental health services. Issues in Mental Health Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2020.1789782

Rosenbaum, S. Morrell, R. Abdel-Baki, A. Ahmadpanah, M. Anilkumar, T.V. Baie, I. Bauman, A. … Matthews, E. … and Ward, P.B. (2020). Assessing physical activity in people with mental illness: 23-country reliability and validity of the Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ). BMC Psychiatry. 20 (108). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-2473-0

Matthews, E. Cowman, M. Brannigan, M. Sloan, D. Ward, P.B. & Denieffe. S. (2018). Physical activity and the barriers to physical activity between active and inactive people with severe mental illness in Ireland. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 15, 139-144.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2018.10.003

Matthews, E. Cowman, M. & Denieffe. S. (2018). Calling for a change in Irish mental health care strategy for cohesive physical activity and sedentary behaviour inclusion. Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine. 1-3. DOI:10.1017/ipm.2018.38

Matthews, E. Cowman, M. & Denieffe. S. (2017). Using Experience-based Co-design for the development of physical activity provision in non-acute rehabilitation and recovery mental health care. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. 24(7) DOI: 10.1111/jpm.12401

Selected conference output

McGrath, A. Murphy, N. Matthews, E. Wagemakers, A. Tully, M. & Verkooijen, K. (2023) Measuring the mental health benefits of community-based physical activity programmes-what are the most important indicators for pragmatic evaluation? HEPA Europe, Leuven/ European Journal of Public Health, Vol 33.

Matthews, E. (2023). An intersectoral programme embedding exercise in mental health, creating pathways to support physical activity for recovery. Health Promotion Conference. National University of Ireland Galway. Galway.

Murphy, N. Wagemakers, A. Verkooijen, K. Mcgrath, A. & Matthews, E. (2022). Community-based physical activity promotion for mental health and wellbeing in ‘hard-to-reach' groups. HEPA Europe, Nice/ European Journal of Public Health, Vol 32.

KN Presentation: ‘Exercise right’ – advancing physical activity in our mental health services. Aclu event launch. Munster Technological University, Kerry, Ireland (2022)

Briggs, N. Murphy, N. O’Gorman, C. & Matthews, E. (2022). Poster presentation. Student connection and mental wellbeing post-pandemic: results of an action research project. Health Promotion Conference. National University of Ireland Galway. Galway.

Matthews, E. Cowman, M. Banville, E. Mulhare, B. Harrison, M. Kissane, S. Lowney, P. O’Riordan, C. Ronan, F. Denieffe, S. (2022). Oral presentation: (*Best oral presentation award). A qualitative evaluation of a novel pilot exercise practitioner (IEP) in outpatient child and adolescent mental health service in Ireland. RCSI University Hospital Waterford Annual Research Day. Waterford.

KN presentation: Exercise and mental health: bringing evidence to practice. RCSI University Hospital Waterford Annual Research Day. Waterford, Ireland (2021)

Scheibein, F. McGirr, K. Morrison, A. Wells, J. & Matthews, E. (2021). A systematic review of Alternative Nicotine Delivery System (ANDS)-based interventions on smoking-related health outcomes among marginalised population groups. RCSI University Hospital Waterford Annual Research Day. Waterford.

McKeon, G. Mastrogiovanni, C. Chapman, J. Stanton, R. Matthews, E. & Rosenbaum, S. (2021). Oral presentation: The experiences of peer-facilitators delivering a physical activity intervention for emergency service workers and their families. Society for Mental Health Researchers Conference. Australia.

Banville, E. Matthews, E. Cowman, M. Flynn, A. Harrison, M. Mulhare, B. Kissane, S. Lowney, P. O’Riordan, C. Ronan, F. & Denieffe, S. (2021). The Exercise Effect: A Slainte Care project to integrate an exercise practitioner into multidisciplinary mental health services. RCSI University Hospital Waterford Annual Research Day. Waterford.

Matthews, E. (2021). Exercise and mental health: bringing evidence to practice (Keynote address). RCSI University Hospital Waterford Annual Research Day. Waterford.

Schuch, F., Deenik, J. Matthews, E. Fibbins, H. & Ward, P. B. Implementing interventions to improve physical health in people with severe mental illness (Symposium). 19th World Congress in Psychiatry (World Psychiatric Association), Lisbon.

Matthews, E. Cowman, M. Brannigan, M. Sloan, D & Denieffe, S. (2018). Oral presentation (*Best oral presentation): The physical activity levels and the examination of barriers to physical activity between active and inactive people with severe mental illness in Ireland. RCSI University Hospital Waterford Research Meeting, Waterford.

Matthews, E. Using patient inclusion in physical activity programmes for people with severe mental illness: 2nd Annual Exercise Professionals in Mental Health Conference. Springfield University Hospital, NHS Trust, London.

Other outputs of note (media, blog, report)

Matthews E, Sommers J, Jones C, Briggs N, Kennedy T, & Skully S. (2022). Application for JIGSAW Mental Health Services in Waterford on behalf of CYPSC Waterford.

Matthews. E. & Flynn, A. An Integrated Exercise Practitioner in Wexford’s Mental Health Service: A changing landscape. (2021) IPARC Blog Post. https://i-parc.ie/?p=1934

Matthews, E. Special feature – Mental Health Week. Exercise is like a savings account for your mental health.       The Kilkenny People Newspaper

Publications

Solmi et al... (2023). Validation of the collaborative outcomes study on health and functioning during infection times (COH-FIT) questionnaire for adults. Journal of Affective Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2022.12.022

Ames, T. Matthews, E. Reynolds, A. Fitzhenry, L. Logan, A. Gooney, M. & Prior-Filipe, H. (2023; Under open review). How patient/public involvement impacts the research journey – an overview of the visually impaired research field.  DOI:10.12688/openreseurope.16057.1. Open Research Europe.

Scheibein, et al. (2022; Under review). A Systematic Review of Alternative Nicotine Delivery System (ANDS)-Based Interventions on Smoking-Related Health Outcomes Among Marginalised Population Groups. Preprint doi DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1048408/v1

Matthews, E. Cowman, M. Mulhare, B. Banville, E. Lederman, O. Kissane, S. Lowney, P. Ronan, F. & Denieffe, S (2022). A qualitative evaluation of a novel pilot exercise practitioner in outpatient child and adolescent mental health service in Ireland. Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/ipm.2022.45

Matthews, E. Cowman, M., Brannigan, M., Rosenbaum, S., Sloan, D., Ward.P.B., & Denieffe, S. (2022). Implementing experience-based co-design to develop a physical activity programme in recovery focused mental health services. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation. 29 (4). https://doi.org/10.12968/ijtr.2021.0101

Solmi et al...  (2022). The collaborative outcomes study on health and functioning during infection times in adults (COH-FIT-Adults): Design and methods of an international online survey targeting physical and mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Affective Disorders. 19. 10.1016/j.jad.2021.07.048

Solmi et al... (2022). Physical and mental health impact of COVID-19 on children, adolescents, and their families: The Collaborative Outcomes study on Health and Functioning during Infection Times -Children and Adolescents (COH-FIT-C&A). Journal of Affective Disorders. 10.1016/j.jad.2021.09.090

Denieffe S, Cowman M, Mulhare B, Banville E, O’ Riordan C, Harrison M, Egan T, Ormonde G & Matthews E. (2021). Evaluation of The Exercise Effect: A pilot project integrating an exercise practitioner into outpatient mental health services in Ireland. Waterford Institute of Technology. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5971792 (Technical report)

McKeon, G. Mastrogiovanni, C. Chapman, J. Stanton, R. Matthews, E. Steel, Z. Wells, R. & Rosenbaum, S. (2021). The experiences of peer-facilitators delivering a physical activity intervention for emergency service workers and their families. Mental Health and Physical Activity. 21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2021.100414.

Matthews, E. Van Hout, MC. Scheibein, F. & Cowman, M. (2021). A qualitative study of physical activity and dietary practices of people accessing opioid substitution treatment in Ireland. Heroin addiction and related clinical harms. 23(5): 37-45.

Matthews, E. Cowman, M. & Denieffe, S. (2020). Exploring the experiences of physical activity among key stakeholders in rehabilitation and recovery mental health services. Issues in Mental Health Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2020.1789782

Rosenbaum, S. Morrell, R. Abdel-Baki, A. Ahmadpanah, M. Anilkumar, T.V. Baie, I. Bauman, A. … Matthews, E. … and Ward, P.B. (2020). Assessing physical activity in people with mental illness: 23-country reliability and validity of the Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ). BMC Psychiatry. 20 (108). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-2473-0

Matthews, E. Cowman, M. Brannigan, M. Sloan, D. Ward, P.B. & Denieffe. S. (2018). Physical activity and the barriers to physical activity between active and inactive people with severe mental illness in Ireland. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 15, 139-144.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2018.10.003

Matthews, E. Cowman, M. & Denieffe. S. (2018). Calling for a change in Irish mental health care strategy for cohesive physical activity and sedentary behaviour inclusion. Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine. 1-3. DOI:10.1017/ipm.2018.38

Matthews, E. Cowman, M. & Denieffe. S. (2017). Using Experience-based Co-design for the development of physical activity provision in non-acute rehabilitation and recovery mental health care. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. 24(7) DOI: 10.1111/jpm.12401

Selected conference output

McGrath, A. Murphy, N. Matthews, E. Wagemakers, A. Tully, M. & Verkooijen, K. (2023) Measuring the mental health benefits of community-based physical activity programmes-what are the most important indicators for pragmatic evaluation? HEPA Europe, Leuven/ European Journal of Public Health, Vol 33.

Matthews, E. (2023). An intersectoral programme embedding exercise in mental health, creating pathways to support physical activity for recovery. Health Promotion Conference. National University of Ireland Galway. Galway.

Murphy, N. Wagemakers, A. Verkooijen, K. Mcgrath, A. & Matthews, E. (2022). Community-based physical activity promotion for mental health and wellbeing in ‘hard-to-reach' groups. HEPA Europe, Nice/ European Journal of Public Health, Vol 32.

KN Presentation: ‘Exercise right’ – advancing physical activity in our mental health services. Aclu event launch. Munster Technological University, Kerry, Ireland (2022)

Briggs, N. Murphy, N. O’Gorman, C. & Matthews, E. (2022). Poster presentation. Student connection and mental wellbeing post-pandemic: results of an action research project. Health Promotion Conference. National University of Ireland Galway. Galway.

Matthews, E. Cowman, M. Banville, E. Mulhare, B. Harrison, M. Kissane, S. Lowney, P. O’Riordan, C. Ronan, F. Denieffe, S. (2022). Oral presentation: (*Best oral presentation award). A qualitative evaluation of a novel pilot exercise practitioner (IEP) in outpatient child and adolescent mental health service in Ireland. RCSI University Hospital Waterford Annual Research Day. Waterford.

KN presentation: Exercise and mental health: bringing evidence to practice. RCSI University Hospital Waterford Annual Research Day. Waterford, Ireland (2021)

Scheibein, F. McGirr, K. Morrison, A. Wells, J. & Matthews, E. (2021). A systematic review of Alternative Nicotine Delivery System (ANDS)-based interventions on smoking-related health outcomes among marginalised population groups. RCSI University Hospital Waterford Annual Research Day. Waterford.

McKeon, G. Mastrogiovanni, C. Chapman, J. Stanton, R. Matthews, E. & Rosenbaum, S. (2021). Oral presentation: The experiences of peer-facilitators delivering a physical activity intervention for emergency service workers and their families. Society for Mental Health Researchers Conference. Australia.

Banville, E. Matthews, E. Cowman, M. Flynn, A. Harrison, M. Mulhare, B. Kissane, S. Lowney, P. O’Riordan, C. Ronan, F. & Denieffe, S. (2021). The Exercise Effect: A Slainte Care project to integrate an exercise practitioner into multidisciplinary mental health services. RCSI University Hospital Waterford Annual Research Day. Waterford.

Matthews, E. (2021). Exercise and mental health: bringing evidence to practice (Keynote address). RCSI University Hospital Waterford Annual Research Day. Waterford.

Schuch, F., Deenik, J. Matthews, E. Fibbins, H. & Ward, P. B. Implementing interventions to improve physical health in people with severe mental illness (Symposium). 19th World Congress in Psychiatry (World Psychiatric Association), Lisbon.

Matthews, E. Cowman, M. Brannigan, M. Sloan, D & Denieffe, S. (2018). Oral presentation (*Best oral presentation): The physical activity levels and the examination of barriers to physical activity between active and inactive people with severe mental illness in Ireland. RCSI University Hospital Waterford Research Meeting, Waterford.

Matthews, E. Using patient inclusion in physical activity programmes for people with severe mental illness: 2nd Annual Exercise Professionals in Mental Health Conference. Springfield University Hospital, NHS Trust, London.

Other outputs of note (media, blog, report)

Matthews E, Sommers J, Jones C, Briggs N, Kennedy T, & Skully S. (2022). Application for JIGSAW Mental Health Services in Waterford on behalf of CYPSC Waterford.

Matthews. E. & Flynn, A. An Integrated Exercise Practitioner in Wexford’s Mental Health Service: A changing landscape. (2021) IPARC Blog Post. https://i-parc.ie/?p=1934

Matthews, E. Special feature – Mental Health Week. Exercise is like a savings account for your mental health.       The Kilkenny People Newspaper