Funded PhD Project - The development and initial evaluation of a web-based psychological intervention to reduce distress in people with motor neurone disease and their partners/carers (1028418JW)

Funded PhD Project - funded by the Motor Neurone Disease Association

The development and initial evaluation of a web-based psychological intervention to reduce distress in people with motor neurone disease and their partners/carers.  

Psychology department, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK

Supervision

Dr. Laura Dennison 

Dr. Adam Geraghty      

Prof. Lucy Yardley

Start Date

27 September 2018 (flexible)

Project Description

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is an incurable, rapidly progressive fatal neurodegenerative disease. Prognosis is poor with average survival only 2 to 3 years following symptom onset. MND care is therefore centred on optimising quality of life (QoL). Emotional distress is common in both people with MND and their partners/carers. Prevalence rates for depressive disorders in people with MND may be as high as 44% and anxiety disorders up to 30%, depending on study design and assessment method. As well as those meeting the criteria for clinically significant anxiety or depressive disorders, many others with MND and their carers will experience other forms of distress including low mood, worry, fearfulness, despair, demoralisation, loneliness, hopelessness, intrusive thoughts and difficulties adjusting to the diagnosis and the challenges that life with MND brings.The 2016 MND NICE guidelines [NG42] state that both people with, and carers of people with MND should be offered information about sources of emotional support and that where needed, referred for counselling or psychological assessment and support. 

Access to face-to-face emotional support is often severely limited, and structured group courses requiring travel and weekly commitment can be burdensome. New methods of delivery are urgently needed to increase access to evidence-based psychological interventions. 

The aims of this project are as follows: 1) To investigate the views and preferences of people with MND and their families regarding the scope, content and delivery model of psychological interventions. 2) To use a theory, evidence and person-based approach to design and build a web-based intervention to meet the needs and capabilities of people with MND and their carers. 3) To conduct a mixed methods small trial to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. 

Candidates must have a first or strong upper second class degree in psychology, and an a postgraduate degree in health or clinical psychology or equivalent research experience. Details on how to apply are available https://www.southampton.ac.uk/psychology/postgraduate/research_degrees/courses/mphil_phd_psychology_pgr.page#modules.  Please apply for the PhD Psychology.  Please also email psycpgr@soton.ac.uk to indicate that you are applying for this funded project. Informal enquiries may be made to Dr Adam Geraghty A.W.Geraghty@soton.ac.uk). 

Closing Date

Midnight - 31 July 2018

Funding Notes

This scholarship will cover UK/EU tuition fees (for up to three years) and provide a maintenance stipend at the rate of £16,000 (subject to annual review and increase) per annum (for up to three years).  There will also be access to a research training support grant.  The studentship will fully support British and EU nationals only. International students can apply but they must be able to meet the difference between home/EU and International tuition fees themselves. 

Closing Date: 31 Jul 2018
Post Type: PhD Studentship (Funded)