PhD Study : Mindfulness and physical activity in the management of menopausal symptoms

Summary

In addition to the essential criteria noted below, the Degree (or equivalent) qualification must be in Psychology or a closely related discipline. We will accept applications from candidates who are about to hold

* a minimum of and Upper Second Class Honours (2:1) Degree in Psychology or closely related discipline (or overseas award deemed equivalent via UK NARIC) .

*An additional Desirable criteria that may be applied is holding, being about to hold, a Master's level qualification in Psychology or a closely related discipline.

*You must provide official, final results of qualifications used to meet the academic requirements before the start of the studentship

Research indicates that around 75% of women experience a range of troubling symptoms, such as hot flushes, palpitations, mood disturbance, anxiety, insomnia, aches and pains, pre, peri and post menopause. Borkoles et al. (2015) explored the role of Type D personality (depression) in relation to menopausal symptoms and found that this personality type, along with low income and caring responsibilities was associated in increased intrusion of psychological, physical/somatic, vasomotor and sexual symptoms.

Interventions to ameliorate menopausal symptoms have shown benefits from mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR, Woods et al. 2014) and physical activity (PA, Borkoles, et al, 2015). However, to date no studies have explored the use of a combination of MBSR and PA to reduce symptoms in this population. However, one of the barriers to engaging in health behaviours, such as PA, is motivation, which impacts on adherence, a concept commonly referred to as the ‘intention-behaviour gap’.

The Health Action Process Model (HAPA, Schwarzer & Lippke, 2011) has been used successfully to predict and change behaviour with the use of action plans, coping plans and self-efficacy, ultimately bridging the ‘behaviour intention gap’. This project will explore the effectiveness and acceptability of a PA and MBSR programme based on HAPA to manage menopausal symptoms and improve quality of life in pre, peri and post menopausal women.

Design:

Sequential mixed methods design; effectiveness of the intervention will be assessed via patient reported outcome measures and user acceptability explored using focus groups.  The intervention duration and content will be informed and refined by a systematic review. Additionally, tailored PA interventions will take into account each participant’s PA goals and expectations in terms of symptom control.

Participants:

Females will be randomised into two groups: control (education about the menopause) and PA plus MBSR intervention (incorporating HAPA model).

Materials:

Baseline measures will include demographic information on age, caring responsibilities, educational status, income, and smoking status. Type D personality will be measured using the DS14 (Senollet, 2015), menopausal symptoms by the Green Climacteric Scale (1998) and PA by the Kaiser PA Survey (Baecke et al, 1982), along with the  HAPA variables (motivation - risk perception, outcome expectancies, behaviour intentions and volition – action, maintenance.

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

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