This project will explore the effectiveness of new interventions to support consistent engagement with important health behaviours in old age. Taking medication with each meal or attending doctor’s appointments depends on a specific memory system called prospective memory (remembering to enact intentions; Schnitzspahn et al., 2013). The majority of older adults’ everyday memory problems are due to prospective memory failures, and the frequency of these memory failures predicts successful adherence to treatment schedules (Zogg et al., 2012). Also, prospective memory problems relate to poorer well-being (Hering et al., 2018). Improving prospective memory in older adults is therefore an important goal to support health behaviour, functional independence and quality of life.
There has been a surprising lack of research into prospective memory interventions that improve health behaviours and independence in older adults. In this project we will evaluate promising intervention techniques from the literature on memory training (Hering et al., 2014). Working with older adult stakeholder groups, the student will evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of potential interventions to support prospective memory in everyday health behaviours (such as adhering to medication schedules and attending health appointments), as well as evaluating the best possible communication strategies to encourage engagement with the interventions in a diverse range of older adults. The final phase of the project will be to evaluate the effectiveness of relevant interventions to improve health behaviours and quality of life in older adults. Supporting health behaviours through this route has the potential to improve functional independence for older adults with complex health needs.
The project will involve the use of quantitative research methods to address the project goals. The successful student will use techniques from cognitive psychology, geriatric psychology and applied health sciences with appropriate training and support from the supervisory team (Katharina Schnitzspahn, Psychology; Julia Allan, Applied Health Sciences). This studentship includes 4 years of full time funding to cover (i) a first year Master’s of Research training in psychological research methods, applied research skills, and quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques, and (ii) 3 years of funding for subsequent PhD research.
You will be part of an inter-disciplinary cohort of students funded by the Dunhill Medical Trust to look at ‘Building interventions to improve quality of life for older people’. In total, three projects will be run, each examining one important predictor of quality of life for older adults: Intergenerational communication (Project 1), planning for future care (Project 2), implementing important health behaviours (Project 3). Each project has two aims: (i) to develop better understanding of older adults’ experience of the respective facet of well-being, and (ii) to evaluate novel interventions to improve well-being in the domain. All projects have the potential to directly improve quality of life of older adults through reduced isolation, increased autonomy in care decisions, and better self-management of health conditions. The PhD projects therefore allow applicants to gain academic expertise and make a real impact. Their interdisciplinary nature provides rich training opportunities.
If you would like to discuss the project in more detail, please contact the lead supervisor [Email Address Removed].
Academic Eligibility:
Applicants are expected to have or achieve a minimum of a 2:1 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in Psychology or a related discipline, with experience of quantitative methodology.
Application Procedure:
- This studentship is offered to Home/UK candidates only (this includes EU nationals that hold UK settled or pre-settled status).
- Please visit THIS PAGE for full instructions on how to submit your application
- Please DO NOT apply for this project via the Universities application portal
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