Dr. Megha Dhillon

Published works  :

  • Hasan, F., Garbett, K.M., Diedrichs, P.C., Chaudhry, A., Ahuja, L., Uglik-Marucha, E., Vitoratou, S., Dhillon, M., Shroff, H. and Lewis-Smith, H., (2024). Adaptation and validation of the Body Image Life Disengagement Questionnaire (BILD-Q) for use in English among adolescents in urban India. Body Image, 48, p.101673.
  • Dhillon, M., & Bhattacharya, S. (2023). Representations of mothers having children with disability in Hindi cinema: A feminist thematic analysis. Disability & Society, 1-23. DOI: 1080/09687599.2023.2287410
  • Agarwal, M., Dhillon, M. (2023). “Let Me Be”: Lived Experiences of Violence Faced by the Indian TGNC Community in Undergoing Gender-Affirmative Procedures. Journal of Human Rights and Social. Work . https://doi.org/10.1007/s41134-023-00260-5
  • Ahuja, , Diedrichs, P. C., Garbett, K. M., Chaudhry, A., Hasan, F., Uglik-Marucha, N., Silia V.,  Dhillon, M., Shroff, H.,  & Lewis-Smith, H. L. (2023). Adaptation and Validation of the Child Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (ChEDE-Q) for Use in English among Adolescents in Urban India. Nutrients, 15, 3836. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15173836
  • Dhillon, M. (2023). Weaving Together the Ancient and the Contemporary: Intersections of the Bhagavad Gita with Modern Psychology. Pastoral Psychollogy . https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-023-01070-2
  • Lewis-Smith, H., Garbett, K. M., Chaudhry, A., Dhillon, M., Shroff, H., White, P., & Diedrichs, P. C. (2023). Evaluating a body image school-based intervention in India: A randomized controlled trial. Body image, 44, 148–156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.12.006
  • Jhamb, S., Bhargava, D., & Dhillon, M. (2022). Fear of Covid-19 and compliance with Preventive Behaviours: Gender differences among youth in India.Texila International Journal of Public Health , Special Edition, DOI: 10.21522/TIJPH.2013.SE.22.01.Art003
  • Darsana R., Khotani, R. & Dhillon, M. (2022). The effect of a forgiveness intervention in promoting forgiveness in the context of interpersonal relationships. Indian Journal of Positive Psychology, 13(3), 232-237.
  • Dhillon, M., Mishra, V., & Chaudhary, K. (2022). “I’ve learnt from my experience and by my senior officers to face any challenge with a brave heart”: Lived experiences of Indian police community members during the pandemic. Community Psychology in Global Perspective, 8(2), 81-102.
  • Dhillon, M. (2022). Pedagogy in the Pandemic: Including Children with Disability in Virtual Classrooms. Accepted for Publication in Children First.
  • Dembi, A,  Sharma, S. & Dhillon, M. (2022) Can self-compassion impact relationship satisfaction, romantic jealousy, and willingness to forgive? Findings of a brief virtual intervention. The Learning Curve, 11, 20-28.
  • Ahuja, K. & Dhillon, M. (2022). The COVID-19 Curve ball: Psychological priorities in the post-pandemic world. The Learning Curve, 11, 3-5. (Editorial)
  • Dhillon, M., & Mishra, V. (2021). I have never seen a patient from far: Narratives of Doctors during the Covid-19 Pandemic in India. SCIREA Journal of Clinical Medicine, 6(6), 709-725. DOI: 10.54647/cm32705
  • Chaudhary. K., & Dhillon, M.  (2021): “# FITNESS”: Impact of Instagram on exercise adherence and self-efficacy, International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. DOI: 10.1080/1612197X.2020.1869804 (Published online: 07 Jan 2021.)
  • Lewis-Smith, H., Garbett, K., Chaudhry, A., Uglik-Marucha, N., Vitoratou, S., Dhillon, M., Shroff, H., & Diedrichs, P. (2021). Adaptation and validation of the Internalisation-General subscale of the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire(SATAQ-3) in English among urban Indian adolescents, Body Image 36,  254–262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.12.004
  • Lewis-Smith, H., Garbett, K., Chaudhry, A., Uglik-Marucha, N., Vitoratou, S., Dhillon, M., Shroff, H., & Diedrichs, P. (2021). Adaptation and validation of the eating disorder examination questionnaire in English among urban Indian adolescents. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 54(2),187-202. Special Issue: Special Issue on Asia .DOI: 10.1002/eat.23431
  • Bhatia T., Verma, S., & Dhillon, M. (2021). Hope and gratitude: A comparison between college students with and without disability. The Learning Curve, 10, 60-65. ISSN: 2321-7057.
  • Dhillon, M., & Mishra, V. (2020).Life in lockdown: The psycho-social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on young Indians. Indian Journal of Health and Well-being 2020, 11(7-9), 324-330.
  • Dhillon, M. (2020). Optimizing wellness: The role of Health Psychology in India. Psycholog Magazine. September 2020, Vol. 1, Issue 11.
  • Dhillon, M. (June, 2020). The Impossible demands of perfection.  ACU Review. Published on 8th July, 2020.  Available on https://www.acu.ac.uk/the-acu-review/the-impossible-demands-of-perfection
  • Seth, N., & Dhillon, M. Intersections of disability and gender in sports: Experiences of Indian female athletes. Disability, CBR & Inclusive Development, 30(3), 65-81.
  • Dhawan, P., Ahuja, A., & Dhillon, M. (2019). “I am not scared of looking at myself in the mirror now”: Fostering Healthy Self-Esteem in Indian Female Adolescents. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention, 8(10), 54-61.
  • Mittal, D., & Dhillon, M. (2019). “Laughter, a good medicine?’ A qualitative investigation of Indian doctors’ views on using humour in medical settings, IAHRW International Journal of Social Sciences Review 7(5), 1463-1470.
  • Dhillon, M., & Srivasatava, G. (2019).Assessing the effectiveness of gratitude in enhancing happiness: An Eastern perspective. International Journal of Social Science Review, 7(3), 381-384. ISSN: 2347-3797.
  • Ahuja, K., & Dhillon, M. (2018). ‘Whose environment is it anyway?’ A study of environmental attitudes and behaviors among Indian female college students. International Journal of Social Science
  • Review, 6(1), 67-72. ISSN: 2347-3797.
  • Ahuja, K., Dhillon, M., Juneja, A., & Srivastava, G., & Deepak, S. (2018). Subverting Heteronormativity: An intervention to foster positive attitudes towards homosexuality among Indian College Students. Awaiting Publication in the Journal of Homosexuality.
  • Dhillon, M. (2017). The effects of tangible rewards versus praise on intrinsic motivation, perceived competence and task performance. International Journal of Psychology and Psychiatry, 5(2). DOI: 10.5958/2320-6233.2017.00007.4
    Online ISSN: 2320-6233
  • Ahuja, K., Dhillon, M., Juneja, A., & Sharma, B. (2017). Breaking barriers: An education and contact intervention to reduce mental illness stigma among Indian college students. Psychosocial Intenvetion,26(2), 103-109. . ISSN: 1132-0559
  • Dhillon, M., & Deepak, S. (2017). A body-image based media literacy intervention for Indian adolescent females. Journal of Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 13(1), 48-73. ISSN 0973-1342.
  • Dhillon, M., Dhawan, P., Ahuja, K., Kalyani, A., & Papneja, D. (2016). Factors Influencing Self-esteem of Indian Female Adolescents. IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science, Volume 21, Issue 7, Ver. VIII (July. 2016) PP 56-63. e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845.
  • Ahuja, K., Dhillon, M., Kalyani, A., & Papneja, D. (2016). Identities in Conflict: A Comparison of Drawings of Muslim Adolescents in Kashmir and Delhi. SAGE Open. DOI: 10.1177/2158244015623596
  • Dhillon, M. & Babu, N. (2014). Peer conflict among Indian children in school settings.
  • Datta, R., & Dhillon, M. (2014). “Perceptions of the mother-child relationship of adolescents having siblings with autism”. Indian Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 2(2), 178-186 ISSN-23197951.
  • Dhillon, M., & Bakaya, S. (2014) “Street Harassment: A qualitative study of the experiences of young women in Delhi”” SAGE Open. DOI
    http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2158244014543786. Online ISSN: 2158-2440
  • Khandelwal, K., Dhillon, M., Kalyani, A., & Papneja, D. (2014). The ultimate attribution error: Does it transcend conflict? An investigation amongst Muslim adolescents in Kashmir and Delhi. Psychological Studies. DOI: 10.1007/s12646-014-0240-3. ISSN: 0033-2968
  • Dhillon, M. & Babu, N. (2013). A Qualitative study of Indian children’s perspectives on peer conflict. Psychology and Developing Societies, 25 (2) 367-392. doi: 10.1177/0971333613500877
    Print ISSN: 0971-3336; Online ISSN: 0973-0761
  • Dhillon, M., & Dhawan, P. (2011). “But I am fat: The experiences of weight dissatisfaction in Indian adolescent girls and young women. Women’s Studies International Forum, 34 (6), 539-549. Doi:10.1016/j.wsif.2011.08.005

Book Chapters :

  • Rawal, M., & Dhillon, M. (2020). It’s unhealthy but I like it: The impact of food advertising and cognitive load upon  children’s food related perceptions, intentions and choices. In by S.K. Srivastava & K. Sharma (Eds.). Health care challenges in India: Psycho-social perspectives. (pp. 301-320). New Delhi: Global Vision Publishing House. ISSN: 978-81-944023-2-9.
  • ‘Kalyani A., Khandelwal, K., Papneja, D. & Dhillon, M. (2014). Understanding Conflict and Building Cultures of Peace in the Classroom, “Education as a Right Across the Levels: Challenges, Opportunities and Strategies. Jamia Millia Islamia.
    ISBN: 978-81-309-274

Papers/ posters presented :

  • Aham Brahmasmi- The Whole Universe resides within you”- Self parterning as a choice among Indian Women. Paper presented at the World Women Studies Conference held on March 7-9, 2024.
  • “I think disability for me is something that’s very crucial to my identity”- Conceptions of Disability among young Indian Women. Paper presented at the World Women Studies Conference held on March 7-9, 2024.
  • Functionality is something I can’t control. Appearance is something that I can: Discourses on Disability, Bodies and Beauty Ideals among Young Indian Women”  Paper presented at the Global South Critical Psychology Conference, hosted by Arden University, UK on May 26, 2023.
  •  “Fighting Against all the odds: A feminist analysis of intersections of womanhood, disability and mental health in INDIA” “Paper presented at the Two-Day National Conference on ”  Gendering Rights, Debating Justice: Issues and Concerns (Organised by the Indian Association for Women’s Studies)   held on May 5-6, 2023.
  •  “Struggle, Strength and Wellbeing: A Feminist Thematic Analysis of Bollywood Representations of Mothers having Children with Disability”Paper presented at the Two-Day International Multidimensional Conference on “Revisiting Wellbeing: Perspectives, Challenges, and the Road Ahead”, under the aegis of DU Centenary Celebration, held on February 1-2, 2023
  • “ Intersections of Gender and Disability Among Indian Women: A Qualitative Exploration of Lived Realities.” Paper presented at the Two-day National Conference on Reconnaissance of Resilience Re-emergence, Strengthening, Re-building of the Nation’ organised by Aditi Mahavidyalaya College, University of Delhi (ICSSR sponsored conference) from 19th to 20th January, 2023.
  • ‘Jnana, Bhakti, Karma, Raja: Exploring connections between Bhagavad Gita’s Spiritualism and Modern Psychology’s emphasis on Mental well-being.’ Paper presented at the National Seminar on Vishwa Guru Bharat: GURU BHARAT: Use of Indian knowledge in developing Interventions and Innovations for Contemporary World. At Aryabhatta College, University of Delhi,  13 – 14 December 2022
  • “ Pandemic and Parenting in Urban India: A Qualitative Investigation of Parents’ views on the Impact of Lockdowns on Children.” Paper presented at the 57th  National and 26th International Conference of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology, organised jointly by the Department of Clinical Psychology and Department of Psychology, Mizoram University from 27th January to 29th January, 2022.
  • “Coping with Covid-19: The Perspectives of Indian Doctors.” Paper presented at the 30th Annual Convention of National Academy of Psychology hosted by Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur from 19th-21st March 2021.
  • “I have been doing my karma, My duty, nicely. So I know God will protect me”: Police Officers’ Lived Experiences of the Pandemic. Paper presented at the 30th Annual Convention of National Academy of Psychology hosted by Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur from 19th-21st March 2021.
  • “Food is important for my wellness”: A photo-voice based study of food consumption and production practices among working and non-working women. Paper presented at 56th National and 25th International Conference of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology (IAAP) on “Actualizing Human Potential”. Organized by the Department of Psychology, Punjabi University, Patiala, 18-20th February, 2021 
  • “Unearthing the Links between Climate Change and Mental health.” Paper presented at the World Environment Summit. Organized by Environment and Social Development Association (ESDA), Delhi iin collaboration with the University of Delhi, 18th -19th January 2020.
  • “Siksha Aur Manovigyan: Synergizing Psychology With India’s Education System. “Paper presented at the National Seminar on “Globalization, Diversity and Equality: Challenges for Indian Society.” Organized by the Department of Applied Psychology, Ramanujan College University of Delhi (Sponsored by UGC), 20-21st September, 2019.
  • “It’s unhealthy but I like it: the impact of food advertising and cognitive load upon children’s food related perceptions, intentions and choices.” Paper presented at the National Seminar on “Globalization, Diversity and Equality: Challenges for Indian Society.” Organized by the Department of Applied Psychology, Ramanujan College University of Delhi (Sponsored by UGC), 20-21st September, 2019.
  • “Experiences of Sports Participation: A Comparison of Indian Female Athletes with and without Visual Disability.” Paper presented at the National Seminar on Psychology of National Integration. Organized by Department of Applied Psychology, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee College, University of Delhi (Sponsored by UGC), 30-31st July 2019.
  • “Assessing the Effectiveness of Gratitude in Enhancing Happiness: An Eastern Perspective.” Paper presented at the International Conference on Integrating Traditional Indian Healing Practices with Contemporary Western Health System. Organized by Department of Psychology, Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi (Sponsored by ICSSR), 8-9th January, 2019.
  • “Believe in myself: Fostering healthy self-esteem in female adolescents.” Paper presented at the NAOP Conference, 25th Silver Jubilee Convention, Allahabad (2016)
  • “Perceptions of the Mother-Child Relationship of Adolescents having Siblings with Autism”. International Conference on Developmental Disability, 2014, organised by the University of Calcutta.
  • “Children’s Perceptions of Peer and Student-teacher Conflicts in the School Setting”. Poster presented at the International Congress of Psychology 2012, Cape Town, South Africa
  • “Street Harassment: A Qualitative study of the experiences of young women in Delhi.” Paper presented at the NAOP Conference, Bangalore (2012)
  • “Peer conflicts and theory of mind: A study within the school setting.” Paper presented at the XXth Annual Convention of NAOP and International Conference on Mind, Culture and Human Activities (2010)
  • “The experience of weight dissatisfaction in Indian adolescent girls and young women” Paper presented at the XXth Annual Convention of NAOP and International Conference on Mind, Culture and Human Activities (2010)

Research Projects :

  • Dove Confident Me is an project started in 2018 as a collaboration between LSR College and the University of West England. It explores influences on young people’s body image and self-esteem. The self-esteem workshops address key topics, including the impact of society, professional and social media on appearance ideals, and give students strategies to boost confidence. Over five 45-60 minute sessions, through class discussions, small-group activities, engaging videos and activity worksheets, the workshop covers:
    • Unrealistic appearance ideals
    • The impact of social media, celebrity culture and advertising
    • How to reduce appearance-focused conversations and comparisons
    • Body activism and positive behaviour change
  • Innovation project “The Imprisoned Dove: Transcending Conflict and Building Cultures of Peace” (2012-13) involving the departments of Psychology, Elementary Education and Political Science of LSR. The project was funded by the University of Delhi and focused on understanding the identities of young Muslims in conflicts and non-conflict areas.
  • Innovation project “VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM: Creating Sustainable Global Partnerships in Higher Education” (2014-15) 5involving the departments of Psychology and English at LSR. The project was funded by the University of Delhi and focused on understanding the perceptions of Indian students on the Internationalization of the Higher Education System.
  • UGC, Minor Project, Body Dissatisfaction in Indian Female Adolescents and Women: A Developmental Perspective of the Origins and Outcomes (2010). The aim of the research was to  identify the factors involved in the genesis and development of body dissatisfaction among female adolescents and young women in India;  To understand the physical, psychological and interpersonal implications of body dissatisfaction on the lives of female adolescents and young women;  To identify the coping skills used by female adolescents and young women to deal with body dissatisfaction.

Workshops and Webinars:

  • Session on ‘Reiterating the Psychological Understanding of Geetopdesh in Nation Building’ , January 31, 2024
  • Session on “The Art of Presenting a Research Paper”’ for the Research Circle, Department of Psychology, LSR, 28th October, 2023.
  • Session on Creating Research Questions and Basics of Academic Writing’ at Gargi College, University of Delhi, September 26, 2023.
  • Session on ‘Intersectionality between Menstruation and Mental Health’ with the Mestrual Cafe- LSR Chapter, November 5, 2022
  • Session on ‘Basics of Research’ for the Research Circle, Department of Psychology, LSR College, February 10, 2022.
  • Online Session “Breaking the Bias” for the Women’s Development Cell, LSR College, March 8, 2022.
  • Online Session “Divinity and Dilemma: Revisiting the dialogue between Arjun and Krishna” for the Book, Documentary, Media Club, Department of Psychology, LSR College, February 10, 2022.
  • Online Session “Covid-19 and its impact on mental health” for WOMEN for INDIAFoundation, February 7, 2022 .
  • Online session in the National Conference of the Bhagavad Gita: Traditional Text of Yoga Philosophy and Practices organized by the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, December 14, 2021.
  • Online Session on ‘Ethics in Research’ for the You’re Wonderful Project, September 10, 2021
  • Online Lecture on ‘Human Values’ for Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women (Orientation Cum Induction Program 2021), August 13, 2021
  • Online ‘Ethics in Research Writing Workshop’ for You’re Wonderful Project, July 28, 2021
  • Online Interaction on ‘Sita and Draupadi: A Feminist Perspective’ for Dhyana Society, Lady Shri Ram College for Women.’, 4th March 2021
  • Online Interaction on “Appearance Matters: Body Image Issues among Indian Youth” with the Department of Psychology, Lakshmibai College, University of Delhi, Delhi, 30th January 2021
  • Podcast titled ‘Appearance Matters” produced by the Centre for Appearance Research (CAR), The University of the West of England, November 30, 2020.
  • Online session with Ikhtiyaar, NSS-LSR, on ‘Psychological Well-being of Breast Cancer Warriors’, 23rd October, 2020
  • Resource Person for Online FDP titled ‘Enhancing Psychological Skills for Teaching & Practice’ organized by the Department of Applied Psychology in Association with the Teaching Learning Center, Ramanujan College, University of Delhi (15th-29th September, 2020)
  • Online session titled ‘Action and Aid: Understanding Suicide and its Prevention’ with Girl Up Fly (A club under the Girlup campaign initiated by United Nations Foundation), 28th September 2020
  • On line session on ‘Gender norms and Mental Health’ with the Dais Global Voices Program on 3rd September 2020.
  • Webinar with SHARP NGO on “How to cope with mental health issues during lockdown and the role of creative activities in maintaining the same”, 23rd July, 2020.
  • Online session with on Samyak Drishti Foundation on “What the Pandemic has taught us about Mental Health”, 22nd June 2020.
  • Webinar with Covid 19 Helpline, India on ‘Health and Wellness-Effect of Covid-19’,  16th May 2020.
  • Online Session with Uddeshya Delhi on  “Pandemics, Social Distancing and Mental Health”, 11th April 2020
  • Talk on ‘Resilience’ for the Because You Matter Campaign, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, 5th March 2020
  • Workshop on ‘Crisis and Team Functioning’ at St. Mary’s School, May 2019
  • Workshop on ‘Critical thinking and Design Thinking’, Innovation Council, LSR, April 2019
  • Workshop on ‘Self-compassion’, LSR, February 2019
  • Workshop on ‘Academic Writing Skills’, LSR, April 2019
  • ‘Enhancing Self-Esteem in Adolescents’, Kendriya Vidalya (Andrews Ganj) and Andhra School (ITO, Pusa Road), March 2017
  • A body-image based media literacy workshop for Indian adolescents (Bluebells School, 2016)
  • Participation in Round Table Conference, ‘Exploring Non-violence, Educational Spaces for Peace and Discussion’, LSR, 21 September 2013
  • Workshops (2008, 2009, 2010) at Miranda College, with the students of the B.El.Ed department. The workshops covered topics such as working with children, development of communication skills, anger management, empathy development and creativity.