PhD Study : The effect of a school-based, peer-led walking intervention on well-being in adolescent girls: A process evaluation

Summary

Regular physical activity (PA) is associated with improved physical and mental health. PA levels decline as children move into adolescence [1]. Across the island of Ireland, participation in PA by girls is extremely low [2] and Northern Ireland (NI) has the lowest proportion of children meeting current PA guidelines [3]. Aside from home, adolescents spend more time in school than in any other setting, so schools represent a key environment for promoting health-related behaviours and reduce the unintended health inequalities in interventions, as all adolescents can participate irrespective of socioeconomic status.

Following a systematic review of interventions in adolescents4, we explored attitudes of adolescents to PA [5] to inform the design of the peer-led, school-based walking intervention which was feasibility/pilot tested in NI [6].  Funding is now secured (CHITIN) to conduct a fully powered trial of this intervention. Process evaluation is an essential part of designing and testing complex interventions to assess how the intervention was implemented.  New MRC guidance provides a framework for conducting and reporting process evaluation in complex interventions such as this walking intervention [7].

This studentship will allow the inclusion of process evaluation within a fully-powered RCT of a school-based peer led walking intervention in adolescent girls as part of a CHITIN funded cross-border project. Using a clustered randomised controlled trial, adolescent girls (12-14yrs) will be recruited from 16 schools located across NI (n=8) and the border regions of Ireland (n=8) with 24 pupils per school being enrolled as participants. Following baseline measurements, schools will be randomised to control (n=8) or intervention (n=8).

Intervention participants will have opportunities to participate in up to three 10-15min peer-led walks/day in school, led by older pupils (aged 16-18yrs) trained as walk-leaders. The intervention will be delivered across the school year with longer-term follow-up assessed. The process evaluation will evaluate the actual delivery of the intervention, including fidelity of the walk leader training and assessment of the pace/intensity of the walks. Interviews and focus groups will be conducted with school contacts, walk leaders and with high / low attendees at the end of the intervention.

Although this PhD will focus on the process evaluation of the intervention, the successful candidate to be involved in all aspects of the delivery and evaluation of a fully-powered RCT as part of a multi-disciplinary team gaining a range of transferable research skills. This PhD will be based at the Magee campus

References

1.Metcalf BS, Hosking J, Jeffery AN et al. (2015) Med Sci Sports Exer. 47(10):2084-92.

2.Harrington DM, Murphy M, Carlin A et al. (2016) J Phys Act Health. 13(11 Suppl 2):S183-S8.

3.Griffiths L, Cortina-Borja M, Sera F et al. (2013) BMJ Open. 3(8), e002893.

4.Carlin A, Murphy MH, Gallagher AM. (2016) Sports Med. 46(4):515-30.

5.Carlin A, Murphy MH, Gallagher AM. (2015) BMC Public Health. 15:1270.

6.Carlin A, Murphy MH, Nevill A et al. (2018) Trials. 19(1):31.

7.Moore GF, Audrey S, Barker M et al. (2015). BMJ. 350, h1258.

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

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
• Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications - peer-reviewed
• Publications record appropriate to career stage
• Experience of presentation of research findings
• Use of personal initiative as evidenced by record of work above that normally expected at career stage.

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