PhD Study : ICD-11 Prolonged Grief Disorder: Measurement, Risk Factors and Treatment Implications

Summary

Almost everyone will, at some point in their life, experience the death of a loved one, and this can have a profound psychological impact. Bereavement is ubiquitous, but how and when it becomes a psychological ‘disorder’ has been widely debated with different conceptualizations having been proposed (e.g. traumatic grief, complicated grief, complex grief: See Simon et al., 2020 and Maciejewski et al., 2016). The most recent revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11, World Health Organisation) has included a ‘Prolonged Grief Disorder’ diagnosis (PGD: Killikelly & Maercker, 2018) with the aims of improving clinical utility and international applicability. The ICD-11 Prolonged Grief Disorder Scale (IPGDS: Killikelly et al., 2020) has been developed to assess the core symptom set of preoccupation and yearning and the additional symptoms of emotional distress.

The proposed programme of research aims to

(1) assess the latent structure of PGD as measured by the IPGDS,

(2) determine the distinctiveness of PGD in relation to mood and anxiety disorders,

(3) investigate the similarity of PGD and other stress-related disorders,

(4) estimate the prevalence of PGD in the UK population, and

(5) identify important demographic and psychological predictors of PGD.

These aims will be met using survey data from a nationally representative sample of UK adults that was conducted as part of the COVID-19 Psychological Research Consortium Study (www.sheffield.ac.uk/psychology-consortium-covid19). Latent variable modelling techniques, for which training will be offered, will be used to analyse the data and results will be written-up for publication. This research will be collaborative in nature, working closely with experts in the area of prolonged grief from Denmark (see The Aarhus Bereavement Study) and trauma researchers from The International Trauma Consortium (https://www.traumameasuresglobal.com/).

Alongside the empirical research work, the successful candidate will also be responsible for conducting an audit on organisations that provide grief-related treatment and support, such as Cruse Bereavement Care, and begin to establish relationships.

The aim is, ultimately, to identify aspects of their provision that could benefit from using reliable and valid measures of grief and identify where our research findings could help improve service delivery.

Essential Shortlisting Criteria

Applicants should have (or expect to hold) an Upper Second Class Honours (2:1) or First Class Honours Degree in Psychology.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• Research proposal of 1500 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project
• A demonstrable interest in the research area associated with the studentship

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,237 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living