PhD Study : Examining Sleep Disturbances and the Fear of Sleep in Individuals with Trauma Exposure

Summary

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is highly prevalent and found to develop after exposure to a traumatic event. Researchers have found that individuals with PTSD also have high rates of comorbidity with other disorders (Orsillo et al., 1996; Kessler et al., 1995) and often report sleep disturbances such as severe insomnia, trauma-related nightmares, nocturnal panic attacks, and other complex motor behaviors (Germain, 2013). In fact, Miller et al. (2012) reported that 93% of participants reported disturbed sleep (mainly insomnia with difficulty falling or staying asleep) at some point in their lifetime which they directly attributed to a traumatic event, and this symptom was reported at a higher prevalence rate than any other PTSD symptom.

Trauma-related insomnia was also observed as the most prevalent symptom (81% of the sample) within a sample of treatment seeking veterans (Miller et al., 2012). This reported insomnia was measured independently from nightmares, which were endorsed by 66% of the civilian sample and by 78% of the veteran sample (Miller et al., 2012). Moreover, experiencing sleep disturbances soon after a traumatic event has been shown to predict PTSD a year later (Koren et al., 2002), and sleep disturbances have been shown to be associated with severe physical and mental health problems such as suicidal thoughts and depression (Clum et al., 2001; Nishith et al., 2001).

Aside from insomnia and nightmares, research is beginning to examine the role that trauma may have in developing a fear of sleep and how fear of sleep may play a role in the onset and maintenance of PTSD (Spoormaker et al, 2008). Fear of sleep could be related to attempts to avoid nightmares (Neylan et al, 1998) given that researchers such as Krakow et al. (1995) have found that individuals with nightmares reported greater fear of sleep than those without nightmares, and fear of sleep decreases once nightmares reduce in frequency and severity. However, it is important to note additional research showing that individuals with disturbed sleep after trauma report fear of loss of vigilance which relates to poor sleep quality (Pietrzak et al., 2010).

Therefore, The Fear of Sleep Inventory (FOSI), a self‐report measure developed to identify factors contributing to trauma‐related sleep disturbances, has been designed and will be utilized to further examine the relation between trauma and sleep disturbances (Zayfert, et al., 2006). This study will be the first in Northern Ireland to directly examine the relation between trauma exposure, PTSD, fear of sleep and trauma-related sleep disturbances. Better understanding of the underlying mechanisms will provide helpful knowledge about onset, maintenance and reciprocal relationships between trauma and fear of sleep that will have direct implications for treatment as well as prevention.

This project will be conducted using data from diverse samples of trauma victims and will be based at Ulster University, but there will be many opportunities to collaborate with researchers from around the world.

This project will examine how trauma exposure, and possibly a PTSD diagnosis, affects one’s perceptions of sleep including fear of sleep and how these beliefs negatively impact one’s sleep. This project will be conducted using data from diverse samples of trauma victims (victims of rape, child abuse, natural disasters, bereavement, assault, accidents, war etc.).

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
• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

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.

• Masters at 65%
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal

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

Institute of Mental Health