PhD Study : Predictors of Health and Wellbeing among Children and Young people: Establishing the Wellbeing in Northern Ireland Schools (WiNIS) Study

Summary

Background:

The concept of children’s wellbeing has become firmly embedded in discourse and policy in the academic, government and public sectors in countries across the world in recent years (e.g. Statham and Chase, 2010). Several large-scaled surveys have demonstrated how wellbeing is associated with a range of outcomes including educational attainment, physical health and fitness, social relationships, and engagement in risk behaviours. Whilst this growing body of research has made a considerable contribution to our current understanding of young people's wellbeing and the various factors that are associated with it, significant gaps remain.

Firstly, most existing large-scaled studies of wellbeing that exist are cross-sectional and thus cannot provide reliable insights into how wellbeing develops and changes over time. Secondly, many existing surveys have used limited measures of wellbeing, raising concerns regarding the reliability and validity of the findings generated. Thirdly, previous research has largely neglected to assess the impact of primary to secondary school transition on health and wellbeing. And fourthly, longitudinal studies that have been conducted fail to collect sufficient contextual data relating to social support and their interaction with other school-level factors to be able to meaningfully explore the impact that home, school and wider social relationships may have on wellbeing.

This PhD will establish the Wellbeing in Northern Irish Schools (WiNIS) Study – a large-scale longitudinal study of the health and wellbeing of school aged children and young people living in Northern Ireland (commencing at age 10-11 years, Primary 7). The WiNIS will include a comprehensive battery of measures across a number of health domains (health-related quality of life; mental wellbeing; family affluence, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, social media), as well as exploring the interaction that home, school and wider social relationships can have on health and wellbeing.

Objectives of the research:

1) To contribute to our understanding of the notion of wellbeing as it applies to young people and how it can be best defined, operationalised and measured.

2) To explore young people's wellbeing at age 10-11 years, and how it may differ in relation to the combined effects of age, gender, ethnicity and socio-economic background.

3) To assess what role the three core contexts of home, school and social relationships might play in impacting upon young people's wellbeing.

4) To explore how wellbeing is associated with health and educational attainment.

5) To develop partnerships with young people, schools and other stakeholders to make available robust evidence to inform policy and practice regionally and to inform broader debates.

Methods that will be used:

This two-phased PhD study will adopt a mixed-methods design and comprise two components:

1) a quantitative survey; and

2) qualitative focus groups.

Phase 1 includes survey design (incorporating PPI involvement), recruitment of schools, preparation and data collection, and data analysis.  The key findings arising from the survey data will influence and shape Phase 2 which will comprise qualitative focus groups to help contextualise and understand the findings that arise from the survey analysis.

Applications from candidates who hold, or expect to achieve by 15 August, an Upper Second Class Honours (2:1) or a First Class Honours Degree in Psychology from a UK institution (or overseas award deemed to be equivalent via UK NARIC) will be prioritised.

Postgraduate research experience in quantitative and qualitative methodology is desirable.

References will be requested for shortlisted candidates.

AccessNI clearance required

Please note, the successful candidate will be required to obtain AccessNI clearance prior to registration due to the nature of the project.

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 demonstrable interest in the research area associated with the studentship

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