About the Project
Bipolar disorder is characterised by extreme lows and highs of mood (mania). Understanding the psychological mechanisms that underlie the development and maintenance of mania is important to inform psychological interventions. There is evidence that mania is associated with how people interpret and respond to their mood. These response styles, or emotion regulation (ER) strategies, include rumination, risk-taking and adaptive coping. Research has typically used existing self-report and experimental measures of these ER strategies, and findings have been mixed. As such, questions remain about the role of ER strategies in mania. This project will develop and validate a new measure of ER strategies that captures the ups and downs of mood characteristic of bipolar disorder. This measure will be used to investigate i) how people at risk of mania regulate their emotions, ii) the psychological and social factors that influence emotion regulation and iii) how ER strategies and psychosocial variables interact to predict mood and functioning. Cross-sectional and longitudinal quantitative methods will be used.
The successful candidate will join the Health in Action research group in the Department of Psychology. Researchers from this group are part of the cross-university Integrated Health & Social Care theme, which conducts multidisciplinary research that aims to optimise health and well-being.
Eligibility and How to Apply
Please note eligibility requirement:
• Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
• Appropriate IELTS score, if required (evidence required by 1 August 2017).
For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/
Please ensure you quote the advert reference above on your application form.
Deadline for applications: 20 January 2017
Start Date: 2 October 2017
Northumbria University is an equal opportunities provider and in welcoming applications for studentships from all sectors of the community we strongly encourage applications from women and under-represented groups.
Funding Notes
This project is being considered for funding in competition with other projects, through one of two types of funding packages available:
• Fully funded studentships include a full stipend, paid for three years at RCUK rates for 2017/18 (this is yet to be set, in 2016/17 this is £14,296 pa) and fees (Home/EU £4,350 / International £13,000 / International Lab-based £16,000), and are available to applicants worldwide.
• As Northumbria celebrates its 25th anniversary as a University and in line with our international outlook, some projects may also be offered to students from outside of the EU supported by a half-fee reduction.
References
Dodd, A. L., Palmier-Claus, J., Lockwood, E. & Mansell, W. (in preparation). Emotion regulation strategies in bipolar disorder: A systematic review.
Dodd, A. L., Palmier-Palmier-Claus, J., Dodd, A. L., Tai, S., Emsley, R. & Mansell, W. (2016). Appraisals to Affect: Testing the Integrative Cognitive Model of Bipolar Disorder. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 55(3), 225-35
Lobban, F., Dodd, A. L., & ERP Team (2015). Feasibility and Acceptability of Web-based Enhanced Relapse Prevention for Bipolar Disorder (ERPonline): Trial Protocol. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 41, 100-109.
Fisk, C., Dodd, A. L., & Collins, A. (2015). Response styles, bipolar risk and mood in students: The Behaviours Checklist. Psychology & Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice, 88(4), 412-42
Dodd, A. L., Mansell, W., Beck, R. A. & Tai, S. (2013). Self appraisals of internal states and risk of analogue bipolar symptoms in student samples: Evidence from standardised behavioural observations and a diary study. Cognitive Therapy & Research. 37: 981-995
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