PhD Study : Examining the economic and social burden of transgenerational trauma in NI

Summary

The NI Study of Health and Stress established, for the first time, the rates of PTSD in NI that were related to the NI Troubles and the extent of Troubles, and trauma related mental illness here. A series of followup studies established the burden on the population and identified the costs associated with PTSD (Ferry et al., 2015; O’Neill, Ferry and Heenan, 2016)1,2. Attention has now turned to the transgenerational legacy of the conflict and the risk of childhood adversities (ACEs) and subsequent mental illness, in the next generation who had not witnessed the conflict directly (O’Neill & Hamber, 2019)3. Studies in NI have shown that this generation have high rates of mental illness and suicidal behaviour, especially young people who live in areas affected by the conflict’s legacy of poverty and ongoing paramilitarism.

The NISHS contains a range of data on adversities and trauma, family structure, parenting behaviour, mental illness, physical health, substance use, suicidal behaviour and medication/ treatments/ service use. The survey is representative of the general population with a high response rate (68.4%). The data is a key source of evidence on the mental health needs of the population and it has to date not been fully utilised to examine the issues associated with intergenerational trauma and inform policy and practice. The survey was designed to facilitate economic analyses of the burden of various mental illness and these analyses are vital for policy and practice impact. This is a mixed methods study.

Part a is a secondary anlaysis of the NISHS data linked with existing external data on economic costs (using the same data sources as our costs of PTSD study):

* The proportions of those with exposure to the Troubles and the relative risk/ likelihood of adversities and mental illness in their offspring.

* The economic impact of particular types of trauma exposures and mental illness in the population and in subgroups.

* The economic costs associated with trauma related conditions in terms of medications and service use.

* The differential economic cost of the impact of Troubles related transgenerational trauma.

This involves assessing the indirect costs (days out of role, working days lost and income loss) in offspring of parents who experienced Troubles- related trauma in comparison with a matched control group.

Part b will involve qualitative work within communities most affected by the legacy of the conflict or alternatively young people identified as having risk factors for transgenerational trauma in ongoing research in Ulster University students and students at Letterkenny Institute of Technology, as part of a depression intervention study. These qualitative studies will examine the ways in which parental trauma has been passed on, and importantly, identify mechanisms for halting this transmission. An examination of the barriers to accessing services and treatment will be a key feature of this element of the research programme, and this is necessary to ensure that the work aligns with policy and practice developments and generates impact on the ground.

1. Ferry, F., Brady, S.E., Bunting, B.P., et al. (2015). The Economic Burden of PTSD in Northern Ireland. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 28(3), 191-197.

2. O'Neill, S., Ferry, F. & Heenan, D. (2016). Mental health disorders in Northern Ireland: the economic imperative. Lancet Psychiatry, 3(5), 398-400.

3. O’Neill S. & Hamber, B. (2019). Addressing the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past. The View Digital, Issue 51, pp.30-31.

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.

• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• A demonstrable interest in the research area associated with the studentship

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.

• Hold a Masters degree in Psychology or related area
• Recognition of the importance of research integrity and Open Science practices

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