IAHS STUDENTSHIP: Doubly disadvantaged: How can we support young people with chronic pain to access and retain high quality work?

Safe, appropriate work can be protective, as ‘good’ work supports our health and wellbeing. This includes people of all ages who live with chronic pain. However, twenty-five percent of youth aged 16-24 live with chronic pain, and are among the most vulnerable to unemployment, since this pain is an established barrier to gaining and retaining effective work. Exacerbating this problem, the COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the UK’s economy. Whilst there has been a strong recovery in the labour market, including for young people aged 16-24, the pandemic has led to lower participation of young people in the labour market overall. Furthermore, the rate of young people in insecure working patterns, such as temporary or zero-hour contracts, is actually higher than before the pandemic. The trend in low quality youth employment practices that started before the pandemic continues. Yet there is very limited knowledge concerning the effects of living with chronic pain on access to and retention of good quality work, for youth, particularly within the economic crisis associated with COVID-19. Now is a critical time to examine the employment practices, and long-term prospects, of young people with chronic pain, and find out how can we support this important cohort to access and retain high quality work.

Aims:

• To understand the impact of COVID-19 on the long-term employment prospects of youth and identify differences between youth with chronic pain and healthy youth;
• To identify the impact of employment type and status over time on the psychological wellbeing of youth;
• To work with key stakeholders including healthcare professionals, occupational/vocational advisors in employment settings, employers, policy-makers and young people, in identifying priorities for supporting them to obtain and retain valued employment.

Methods: Systematic review. Longitudinal, mixed methods study, involving surveys with youth with chronic pain (n=170) and healthy youth (n=170), qualitative interviews with a subsample of youth with chronic pain (n=20) and healthy youth (n=20). Stakeholder event will facilitate interpretation of study findings and prioritisation of the needs of the young people and relevant stakeholders.

PPIE: Patient partners have already worked with us on this proposal. A project PPIE group will be convened including representation from the PPIE groups of all researchers’ institutions.

Quality of supervision and environment: All researchers have supervised to completion, with publications and impact work arising from doctoral projects. This PhD is nested within the Epidemiology Group, Aberdeen Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health (ACAMH) the MRC/Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Health and Work (CMHW), and linked to the Centre for Pain Research (CPR, hosted by the University of Bath), and Ageing Well research group at GCU. The PhD complements existing work led from ACAMH (CSO-funded Making it Work, MRC-funded Quick) and MRC-funded, CPR-led CRIISP. The student will benefit from joining a vibrant hub of inter-disciplinary, work-related research and the opportunity to learn from RFs, other PhD students and UK-wide collaborators. Additionally, the student will join the Pain in Child Health programme (PICH) focused on the development of international paediatric pain researchers.

Impact: Publications, a briefing paper and infographic will facilitate evidence-based decision-making on youth employment provision in the wake of the pandemic. Outputs will support a larger bid e.g. postdoc fellowship, to improve a lifespan development approach to working when in pain, from youth to retirees.

Candidate Background:

• Applicants should hold a minimum of a 2:1 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject. Those with a 2:2 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) may be considered, provided they have (or are expected to achieve) a Distinction or Commendation at master’s level.

We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities, and are committed to having a diverse, inclusive team.

For Further project information please contact Dr Elaine Wainwright ([Email Address Removed]).

Candidates should contact the lead supervisor to discuss the project in advance of submitting an application, as supervisors will be expected to provide a letter of support for suitable applicants.

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APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

International applicants are eligible to apply for this studentship but will have to find additional funding to cover the difference between overseas and home fees (approximately £14,000 per annum).

• Formal applications can be completed online: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/pgap/login.php
• You should apply for Applied Health Science (PhD) to ensure your application is passed to the correct team for processing.
• Please clearly note the name of the supervisor and exact project title on the application form. If you do not mention the project title and the supervisor on your application, it will not be considered for the studentship.
• Applicants should hold a minimum of a 2:1 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject. Those with a 2:2 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) may be considered, provided they have (or are expected to achieve) a Distinction or Commendation at master’s level.
• Your application must include: A personal statement, an up-to-date copy of your academic CV, and clear copies of your educational certificates and transcripts.
• Please note: you DO NOT need to provide a research proposal with this application
• General application enquiries can be made to [Email Address Removed]