PhD Study : Sedentary behaviour and mental wellbeing in older adults

Summary

Research is accumulating showing that sitting for long periods of time is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and certain cancers, irrespective of the amount of physical activity an individual engages in. For example, a recent study involving 60,202 Brazilian adults demonstrated that watching tv (a proxy for sitting time) for more than 5 h/day was associated with a two to three fold increased risk of depression among Brazilian adults. However, there has been significantly less research in older adults.

The aim of this PhD is to further investigate the relationship between sedentary behaviour and mental health and wellbeing in older adults.

The studentship will involve three phases.

The first will be a systematic review of the relationship between mental health and wellbeing and sedentary behaviour in older adults. A secondary aim of this review will be to identify possible correlates of this relationship such as age, gender and socio-economic position.

The second phase will seek to utilise data from nationally representative cohort studies of older adults, such as the NICOLA study to investigate this relationship further. Using structural equation modelling, the study will seek to assess factors (such as socio-demographic, health and function) related to sedentary behaviour and mental health and wellbeing in older adults. The NICOLA study is a longitudinal study of 8,500 older adults living aged 50 and over living in Northern Ireland. In addition, the student will investigate the dose-response relationship between sedentary behaviour and mental health, to inform relevant public health policy.

The final phase will be involve further examination of the causal relationship between sedentary behaviour and mental health and wellbeing. Using data collected in the EU Sitless study (http://sitless.eu), the effect of changes in sedentary behaviour following a 16 week intervention in 1,300 older adults from four European studies will be examined. This study will be conducted in collaboration with the Sitless consortium. Given the increased interest in the health impacts of sedentary behaviour, the results of this PhD will help inform public health policy.

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.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive 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.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 75%
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Institute of Mental Health Sciences

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.

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