Dr Steven Kator Iorfa

Personal statement:

I am an environmental/social psychologist researching the nexus between environmental change, food sustainability and human wellbeing. I am currently exploring frugality as a key driver of behaviour change towards environmental change resilience and sustainable food behaviours for individuals, households and retailers. I am also exploring environmental change and mental health among minority groups in the UK and West Africa.

I use a range of research methodologies including experimental methods, surveys, interviews and participatory research methods.

Key topic areas of research or interest:

• Environmental change impacts on mental health and wellbeing
• Frugality and sustainable food behaviour
• General mental health and wellbeing of vulnerable populations

Publications:

Peer reviewed Journal Articles

• Iorfa, S. K., Stafford, L., Bowyer, C. & Jack, L. (2025). Frugality and food waste avoidance: Does a prime work as much as the trait? Food Quality and Preference. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2025.105656
• Iorfa, S. K., Stafford, L., Bowyer, C. & Jack, L. (2025). Exploring the values and attitudes that promote sustainable food choice motives? Food and Humanity. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foohum.2025.100595
• Datzberger, S., Howard-Merrill, L., Parkes, J. & Iorfa, S.K. (2024). How do extreme weather events contribute to violence against children? Child Abuse and Neglect. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.107093
• Northern, S. L., Nieminen, L. K., Cunsolo, S., Iorfa, S. K., Roberts, K. & Fletcher, S. (2023). From shops to bins: A case study of consumer attitudes and behaviours towards plastics in a UK coastal city. Sustainability Science, 18, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-022-01261-5
• Uwemedimo, S.I., Effiong, J.E., Udokang, I., Ogwuche, S., Udoukok, E.N., & Iorfa, S.K. (2024). Need for closure is linked with traumatic bonding among victims of intimate partner violence (A mediatory approach). Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075241234074
• Nyelade, R.A, Zhang, D., Chukwuorji, J.C. & Iorfa, S. K. (2023). “It’s colder on the outside”: Lived experiences of Internally Displaced Persons staying outside Displacement Camps. Journal of Asian and African Studies, https://doi.org/10.1177/00219096231197749
• Kokou-Kpolou, C. K., Park, S., Bet, Q., Iorfa, S. K., Chinweuba, D. C. & Chukwuorji, J. C. (2022). Towards a more comprehensive understanding of depressive symptoms among young adults using Gaussian graphical and directed acyclic graph models. Current Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-04192-7
• Effiong, J. E., Ibeagha, P.N. & Iorfa, S. K. (2022). Traumatic bonding in victims of intimate partner violence is intensified via empathy. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075221106237
• Iyidobi, E. C., Iyidobi, T. O., Ozioko, U. S., Onu, J. U., Muomah, R. C., Iorfa, S. K., & Aneke, A. V. (2022). Vaccine hesitancy: Pattern of side effects of the first dose of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare workers in Enugu. Annals of Clinical and Biomedical Research, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/acbr.2022.174
• Iorfa, S. K., Effiong, J. E., Apejoye, A., Johri, T., Isaiah, U. S., Eche, G. O., & Ottu, I. F. (2022). Silent screams: Listening to and making meaning from the voices of abused children. Child: Care, Health and Development. https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.12975
• Iorfa, S. K., Onyishi, A. B., Anozie, E. U., Chukwuorji, J. C. & Ifeagwazi, C. M. (2022). Sexual violence and child poverty among girls in Benue State: Lived experiences of child sexual violence survivors. Journal of Social Services Research 48(1) https://doi.org/10.1080/01488376. 2021.1979710
• Kokou-Kpolou, C. K., Adansikou, K., Park, S., Hajizadeh, S., Iorfa, S. K., & Cénat, J. M. (2021). Prolonged grief and posttraumatic growth among middle-aged and older widowed persons: A latent class analysis and testing for the role of social support. Death Studies, (Online Ahead of Print), 1-13, https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2021.1978115
• Ayandele, O., Ramos-Vera, C., Iorfa, S.K., Chovwen, C & Olapegba, P. (2021). Exploring the complex pathways between the fear of COVID-19 and preventive health behavior among Nigerians: mediation and moderation analyses. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Advance online publication https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.20-0994  
• Chia, T., Oyeniran, O. I., & Iorfa, S. K., (2021). Validation of the fear of COVID-19 Scale in Nigeria: Implications for public health practice. Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences, Advance online publication https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtumed.2021.05.006
• Ugwu, L. I., Onu, D. U., Nnadozie, E. E, & Iorfa, S. K., (2021). Psychometric validation of the centrality of events scale in a Nigerian clinical sample. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 31, 2, 167-176. https://doi.org/10.1080/14330237.2021.1910410 
• Kokou-Kpolou, C. K., Park, S., Lenferink, L. I. M., Iorfa, S. K., Fernandez-Alcántara, M., Derivois, D., & Cénat, J. M. (2021). Prolonged grief and depression: A latent class analysis. Psychiatry Research, 299, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2021.113864
• Megalakaki, O., Kokou-Kpolou, C. K., Vaudé, J., Park, S., Iorfa, S. K., & Derivois, D. (2021). Does peritraumatic distress predict PTSD, depression and anxiety symptoms during and after COVID-19 lockdown in France? A prospective longitudinal study. Journal of Psychiatric Research, Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.02.035
• Kokou-Kpolou, C. K., Iorfa, S. K., Park, S., Chinweuba, D. C., Cénat, J. M & Chukwuorji, J. C (2021). The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-20-R): Factorial validity and gender invariance among Nigerian young adults. Current Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020-01231-z
• Iorfa, S.K., Ottu, I.F., Oguntayo, R., Ayandele, O., Kolawole, S.O., Ghandi, J.C., Dangiwa, A. L. & Olapegba, P. O. (2020). COVID-19 knowledge, risk perception and precautionary behavior among Nigerians: A moderated mediation approach. Frontiers in Psychology (Personality and Social Psychology) https://org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.566773
• Ojiaku, M.C., Iorfa, S.K., Mefoh, P. C., Ezeuzo, O. D., Odinko, I, C. (2020). COVID-19-Induced anxiety and COVID-19 precautionary measures as predictors of mental wellbeing of Nigerians. International Journal of Behavioural Sciences. 14, 3, 149-154. https://doi.org/10.30491/ijbs.2020.239210.1342
• Onu, D. U., Ifeagwazi, C. M., Orjiakor, T. C., & Iorfa, S. K., (2020). Adverse childhood experiences and tramadol use in Nigeria: The mediating role of sociosexuality in a predominantly male student sample. Journal of Substance Use. Online First https://doi.org/10.1080/14659891.2020.1846805
• Onu, D. U., Iorfa, S. K., & Ugwu, D. (2020). Negative centralisation of HIV/AIDS’ trauma and health-related quality of life: Do posttraumatic stress symptoms explain the link? African Journal of AIDS Research. Online First. https://org/10.2989/16085906.2020.1797842
• Chukwuorji, J. C. & Iorfa, S. K. (2020). Commentary on the Coronavirus Pandemic: Nigeria. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000786
• Eze, J. E., Orjiakor, T. C., Iorfa, S. K., & John, C. (2020). Beyond criminality: Exploring the associations between psychopathic traits and lifestyles among non-offenders in sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and psychology, https://doi.org/10.1080/14789949.2020.1768278
• Olapegba, P.O., Iorfa, S.K., Kolawole, S.O., Oguntayo, R., Ghandi, J.C., Ottu, I.F., & Ayandele, O. (2020). Survey data of COVID-19-related knowledge, risk perceptions and precautionary behavior among Nigerians. Data in Brief, 30, 105685. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2020.105685
• Olapegba, P.O., Ayandele, O., Kolawole, S.O., Oguntayo, R., Ghandi, J.C., Dangiwa, A. L., Ottu, I.F. & Iorfa, S.K. (2020). A Preliminary Assessment of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Knowledge and Perceptions in Nigeria. MedRxiv Preprint. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.04.11.200614086
• Chukwuorji, J. C., Nweke, A., Iorfa, S. K.,Lloyd, C. J., Effiong, J. E., & Ndukaihe, I. L. G. (2020). Distorted cognitions, substance use and suicide ideation among gamblers: A moderated mediation approach. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00232-0 
• Eze, J. E., Chukwuorji, J. C., Ettu, P. C., Zacchaeus, E. A., Iorfa, S. K., & Nwonyi, S. K. (2019). Bullying and suicide ideation: Testing the buffering hypothesis of social support in a Sub-Saharan African sample. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-019-00294-w
• Iorfa, S. K., Ifeagwazi, C. M., Effiong, J. E. & Essien, F. N (2019). Tramadol abuse and value for life among young persons: Moderating effects of moral identity. African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies, 19, 2, 109-120
• Orjiakor, T. C., Watt, A., Iorfa, S. K., Onu, D. U., & Okonkwo, A. I. (2019). Associations between schizotypal traits and antisocial behaviours in a sub-Saharan sample. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 33, 6, 138-143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnu.2019.10.001
• Iorfa, S. K., Ifeagwazi, C. M. & Chukwuorji, J. C. (2019). The value for life (VfL) hypothesis and the value for life scale (VfLS): Conceptualisation, development and initial validation. Nigerian Journal of Psychological Research, 15, 14-22.
• Chukwuorji, J. C., Abiama, E. E, Ifeagwazi, C. M., Iorfa, S. K. & Nwonyi. S. K., (2019). Psychometric properties of the meaning in life questionnaire -Hausa Version (MLQ-H) among internally displaced persons in Nigeria. Transcultural Psychiatry, 56, 1, 103-122. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363461518794218
• Nnadozie, E. E, Iorfa, S. K. & Ifebigh, O. O (2018). Parenting style and religiousity as predictors of antisocial behavior among Nigerian undergraduates. Journal of Social Services Research, 44, 5, 624-631. https://doi.org/10.1080/01488376.2018.1476297
• Iorfa, S. K., Ugwu, C., Ifeagwazi, C. M., & Chukwuorji, J. C. (2018). Substance abuse among youths: Roles of psychoticism, social alienation, thriving and religious commitment. African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies, 17, 2, 133-146
• Ugwu, C., Iorfa, S. K., Ogba, K.T.U., Effiong, J. E., Ugwu, T. O. (2018). Thriving among married Igbo rural women: Contributions of domestic violence and psychological distress. Nigerian Journal of Psychological Research, 14, 25-33
• Chukwuorji, J. C., Iorfa, S. K., Nzeadibe, T. C., & Ifeagwazi, C. M. (2017). Role of climate change awareness and proenvironmental behaviour in subjective wellbeing. Nigerian Journal of Social Sciences, 13, 1, 39-48.
• Ugwu, C., Ogba, K.T.U., Nwonyi, S. K., Ugwuegede, P. N., & Iorfa, S. K. (2017). Personality, loneliness and mental health in a sub-Saharan sample of university students. Nigerian Journal of Psychological Research, 13, 8-16.
• Nnadozie, E. E, Iorfa, S. K. & Agonsi, U. A. (2015). Contributions of psychological detachment from work and perceived organizational support in work-life balance among health workers. Nigerian Journal of Psychological Research, 11, 9-16.
• Chukwuorji, J. C., Ifeagwazi, C.M., & Iorfa, S. K., (2015). Mental health emergency of climate change: Consequences and vulnerabilities. International Journal of Communication, 11, 110-130.
• Iorfa, S. K. & Nnadozie, E. E. (2012). A review of performance appraisal in the Nigerian context: challenges and prospects for nation building. Nigerian Journal of Psychological Research, 8, 1-8.

Book chapters

• Iorfa, S.K. (In press). Exploring community psychology responses to climate change-induced internal displacement in Benue, Nigeria. In Barnes, B., Fernandes-Jesus, M., Barnwell, G & Trott, C. (Eds). Community Psychologies for Climate Justice. Springer