PhD Study : Adapting and testing a Trauma Informed Care Intervention for adults with an intellectual disability who have an underlying complex trauma(s)

Summary

Complex trauma is increasingly being recognised as a form of psychological disturbance which relates to abusive or threatening conditions sustained over a period of time. There is a growing body of evidence for the impact of complex trauma on physical health (e.g. cardio vascular disease; chronic lung disease; and chronic liver disease and mental health (e.g. personality disorders; bi-polar disorder; and psychosis. Established theoretical models for trauma intervention, such as Golding’s Hierarchical model (2008) and Perry’s 3 Pillar model (2006) place ‘safety’ as the foundation for any intervention, including both physical and relational safety. Trauma Informed Care (TIC) is an established framework of intervention for addressing the physical and psychological effects of the complex trauma.

A systematic literature review of TIC in inpatient settings by Wilson et al. (2017) identified that the relationship between staff and patients was a key part of trauma recovery. TIC has been successfully delivered across community mental settings and also in LAC services for staff teams, and to some degree in Fostering and Adoption. It can be posited that people with an intellectual disability are more susceptible to significant interruptions in attachment relationships and exposure to adverse life events. Spencer et al. (2005) examined 119,000 children born between 1983 and 2000 in the UK and found that children with intellectual disability were: 5.3 times more likely to be neglected; 2.9 times more likely to be emotionally abused; 3.4 times more likely to be physically abused and 6.4 times more likely to be sexually abused than those in the general population.

More recently Skelly et al. (2018) highlighted that 28 of the 30 adults with an intellectual disability referred for therapy had some adverse childhood experiences. Many adults with intellectual disability present with depression, anxiety and challenging behaviour; with many services not recognising the underlying childhood trauma. Furthermore, many adults with intellectual disability are rarely offered the recommended evidenced-based psychological interventions such as TIC that is offered to the general population. More recently, TIC is on the Strategic Agenda for all Trusts across N. Ireland and the UK, where training will be rolled out across mainstream adult mental health settings in accordance with the National Trauma Training Network’s framework (NHS Education for Scotland, 2017). Despite its natural fit, TIC has not been delivered within intellectual disability services for those adults with a complex trauma history.

Aim: This doctoral project will be the first study to adapt and test a TIC intervention for adults with an intellectual disability who have an underlying complex trauma(s).

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.

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.

• Relevant professional qualification and/or a Degree in a Health or Health related area

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