PhD Study : An earthquake in slow motion: Investigating the familial and psychological impact of the MICA/defective block property decay crisis in the Republic of Ireland.

Summary

The trauma literature explains the context and psychological consequences of disrupted living and displacement due to natural disasters (fire) (Dominguez & Yeh, 2020); flood (Masson et al., 2019); earthquake (Stroebe et al., 2021); tsunami (Yonejura et al., 2013) and so on.

To date, however, no known research has investigated the context and psychological consequences of disrupted living and displacement caused by gradual property decay, nor the DB crisis that has befallen thousands of families in ROI. Whilst empirical evidence has been lacking, ongoing media coverage has documented the testimonials of many homeowners who fear for their and their family’s safety and security, are burdened and frightened by finance related anxiety, hardship, and strain, and must confront, navigate and endure highly complex and confusing insurance, legal and redress processes.

Given that trauma, such as PTSD, complex PTSD and acute stress disorder are commonplace among ‘displaced’ populations (Mellor et al., 2021), and given that other more commonly occurring disorders (e.g. generalized anxiety/ depression) and severe mental health problems (e.g. self-harm, suicide) emerge also (Cogo et al., 2022), it would seem prudent to investigate the psychological consequences of disrupted living and displacement in this very unique context of property decay.

In association with DB campaigners, which advocates and engages with a range of social networks, this project, using survey methodology aims to investigate the (i) chronology, context and experience of DB related property decay, and the (ii) familial, (iii) societal, and (iv) psychological impact of DB related property decay. A battery of validated measures that can reliably capture the expression of various constructs that mediate and moderate associations between psychological distress and mental health outcomes will be included (e.g. entrapment, defeat, perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, intolerance of uncertainty, hopelessness, social support, resilience), comparing the families affected with a normal population sample. Qualitative methods and focus groups will be used to explore the unique lived experiences of those directly and indirectly affected.

Please note: Applications from those holding or expecting to hold a 2:1 Honours Degree in Psychology are strongly encouraged to apply.  Applications for more than one PhD studentship are welcome, however if you apply for more than one PhD project within Psychology, your first application on the system will be deemed your first-choice preference and further applications will be ordered based on the sequential time of submission. If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be interviewed only on your first-choice application and ranked accordingly. Those ranked highest will be offered a PhD studentship. In the situation where you are ranked highly and your first-choice project is already allocated to someone who was ranked higher than you, you may be offered your 2nd or 3rd choice project depending on the availability of this project.

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
• A demonstrable interest in the research area associated with the studentship
• Evidence of academic writing skills (a short sample of academic written work of the applicant's choosing (Max 3 pages, A4, font 11)) – please upload in the section entitled Research Proposal

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• Research project completion within taught Masters degree or MRES

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 £19,000 (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