About me
Joshua Cathcart (MSc) studied English Language and Literature (BA Hons) at the University of Oxford before completing the Psychological Studies (MSc) at the University of Glasgow.
He is an active researcher in the Psychology of Religion Lab -- a collaboration with Dr Christopher Lloyd and Dr Maxinne Connolly-Panagopoulos.
He joined the University of Stirling in September 2023 on the Tenovus Scotland funded 'Study Protocol Co-production Project, Leading on to the Co-design of a Suicide Intervention Service Model for Children and Young People'.
Currently, he is working on the SHARPS project, a randomised controlled trial seeking to test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a peer-delivered intervention to reduce harm and improve the well-being of homeless people with problem substance use.
His research interests include mental health and religion, addiction and substance use, and online parasocial relationships.
Recent publications:
Lloyd, C. E. M., Cathcart, J., & Panagopoulos, M. C. (2025). Helpful and unhelpful factors associated with secular psychotherapy amongst Christians: a story-stem study. Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health, 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/19349637.2025.2478518
Lloyd, C. E. M., Cathcart, J., Panagopoulos, M. C., & Reid, G. (2024). The experiences of faith and church community among Christian adults with mental illness: A qualitative metasynthesis. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/rel0000511
Lloyd, C. E. M., Cathcart, J., & Panagopoulos, M. C. (2023). Accounting for the demonic: Helpful and unhelpful factors associated with belief in demonic etiologies of mental illness among evangelical christians. Spirituality in Clinical Practice. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/scp0000354