PhD Study : An exploration of the use of art therapy with people who have learning disabilities and have experienced bereavement

Summary

The number of people with learning disabilities in the United Kingdom is projected to increase each year for the next decade, largely as a consequence of access to improved healthcare and developments in healthcare interventions. In particular, the number of older people with learning disabilities will be the largest category of the increased population, similar to the general population. The life expectancy of people with learning disabilities continues to improve, although overall it is still considerably lower than of members of the general population, many more people with learning disabilities are living into to the 5th and 6th decades.

As a consequence of this more people with learning disabilities are experiencing the death of their parents and other wider family members than previously occurred. There is evidence that many people with learning disabilities are not well prepared for such a significant bereavement and often are not well supported through the grieving process. There is a risk that ‘normal grieving’ is considered within a pathological framework and is responded to as an ‘illness’ or complicated grief, without first seeking to understand the experience of bereavement from the perspective of the person with learning disabilities.

This can result in people with learning disabilities being ‘disenfranchised’ in their grief.  Art therapy has been shown to be an important approach to facilitating people to express and understand their feelings and emotions, and it has been used effectively in a therapeutic process to enable people to work through their grieving. Despite, the evidence of the merits of the use of art therapy and the range of modalities that could be used, there has been limited research into this use with people with learning disabilities.

This PhD project aims to explore the use of art therapy in supporting people with learning disabilities who have been bereaved following the death of a key family member.

Project objectives include: To explore the use of art therapy as a means of gaining the perspective of people with learning disabilities in relation to their emotions and feelings following a bereavement; To examine a range of modalities within art therapy and their usefulness in facilitating people with learning disabilities to share their perspectives on bereavement and grief; To establish the effectiveness of art therapy approaches in successfully supporting people with learning disabilities to move through the stages of mourning and develop new understanding about and relationships with the people who have died.

The successful completion of this project will provide clear practice insights and guidelines to practical steps and reasonable adjustments that may be helpful in supporting people with learning disabilities to be supported to work through their bereavement as a stage of life and development, rather than from within a pathological framework.

Applicants should be registered Art Therapists, or presently have the qualifications to register as an Art Therapist prior to commencing the project in September 2019. The applicant should have experience of working with people with learning disability who have experienced bereavement following the death of a person.

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
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• Research proposal of 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

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.

• Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• 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