Personal profile
Biography
I completed my undergraduate degree in Sport and Exercise Science at Edge Hill University in 2008 before going on to achieve an MSc in Psychology of Sport and Exercise Behaviour from Northumbria University in 2009. I was then successfully accepted to study for my PhD at Loughborough University. My PhD research focussed on examining athlete well-being from the perspective of attachment theory and self-determination theory, with particular interest in the basic psychological needs sub-theory. I graduated from Loughborough University in 2012 and have since published several studies that were conducted as part of my PhD.
Since graduating I have held several positions before gaining my current post at the University of Roehampton. I acted as a research assistant for a project conducted at Loughborough University in collaboration with Sports Coach UK in 2013 that explored the psychological factors associated with recreational sport participation. Following this position I briefly worked at the University of Central Lancashire before accepting a position at Northumbria University in January 2014 to work as a lecturer in sport coaching.
My passion and interest has always been within sport psychology, with a particular focus on athlete well-being and performance. As a result of my doctoral studies I have also gained an interest in exploring the application of attachment theory to the domain of sport, which is a growing area with great potential. I am also interested in exploring the role of sport psychology within sports that have received less attention in research. Specifically I would like to work within the field of motorsport, which is a great passion of mine, to understand the psychological profile of racing drivers and to also understand the complex relationships that exist within racing teams. In addition, I am interested in the developing area of psychology in esports with an interest on the psychological characteristics of esport athletes and the possible impacts of esport competition on well-being.
Qualifications
- HCPC registered Sport & Exercise Psychologist
- PhD in Sport Psychology (Loughborough University)
- MSc Psychology of Sport and Exercise Behaviour (Northumbria University)
- BSc Sport and Exercise Sciences (Edge Hill University)
Research interests
My interests predominately focus around the areas of social and developmental psychology. Specifically I am interested in; psychological factors associated with interpersonal relationships, understanding athlete well-being, and examining attachment theory within sport.
Professional affiliations
BPS Chartered Psychologist
HCPC Registered Sport & Exercise Psychologist
Links
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Physiological and health demands of Formula 1 motor racing: a comprehensive review with driver performance coach insight
Tyler, C. J., Felton, L., Ferrari, A., Keedle, K., Manwaring, R. & Buoite Stella, A., 18 Feb 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: BRITISH JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
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Mental toughness in elite adolescent football players: exploring the role of motivational climate and coach-athlete relationships
Mesquita da Silva, S., Felton, L., Dias, C. & Fonseca, M. A., 20 Feb 2025, In: International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile126 Downloads (Pure) -
Teachers’ job satisfaction and students’ meta-perspectives of relationship quality: Exploring the mediating role of job performance
Warburton, V. E., Jowett, S., Beaumont, L. C., Felton, L. & Bishop, K., 28 Jul 2025, (Submitted) In: Journal of School Psychology.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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A mixed-method exploration of the effects and feasibility of an intergenerational fall-prevention gardening programme in older adults at risk of falling: a clinical trial
Klaperski-van der Wal, S., Bruton, A. M., Felton, L. & Turner, S., 19 Dec 2023, In: Journal of Public Health.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile38 Downloads (Pure) -
Teacher–Student relationship quality as a barometer of teaching and learning effectiveness: Conceptualization and measurement
Jowett, S., Warburton, V., Beaumont, L. & Felton, L., 17 Apr 2023, In: BRITISH JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access
Activities
- 2 Media Article or Participation
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Make your garden your wellbeing sanctuary
Felton, L. (Advisor)
27 Apr 2022Activity: Public engagement and outreach › Media Article or Participation
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Turn fan noise off...football in silence is a real education
Felton, L. (Advisor)
22 Jun 2020Activity: Public engagement and outreach › Media Article or Participation
Profiles
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Zara-Angela Abbas
- School of Psychology - Demonstrator
- School of Life and Health Sciences
- Centre for Integrated Research in Life and Health Sciences Postgraduate Research Students
Person: Doctor of Philosophy, Academic