Mental Health at Key Life Transitions

A 3 year programme of research will be undertaken to investigate the potential for ‘new directions’ in mental health at key life transitions in the digital age.

Background
Currently 25 per cent of global burden of disability comes from mental health conditions (APPG, 2014) and one in four people in the UK are living with mental health issues (OECD, 2014). There is a pressing challenge for stakeholders (e.g. mental health charities, academics, NHS leaders, health care professionals, policy-leaders, international thought-leaders) to create a consensus around a vision for mental health and put the life-course at the heart of the mental health agenda. To inform decision-making around stakeholder agendas there is a pressing need for social science research at developmental ‘pinch-points’. From existing evidence, at least three particularly challenging transitions across the life-course stand out: (a) early intergenerational family life; (b) young adults aged 15-25 years (OECD, 2011) (c) older employees (45-54 years, OECD, 2011), as well as ‘at risk’ socio-demographics (for, instance conditions are more likely in women then men). We would welcome proposals for PhDs in these areas, and specifically related to digital agendas.

Health Sciences Research at the University of Salford
The Centre for Health Sciences Research at the University of Salford comprises a multidisciplinary team of staff and research students drawn from the health professions and related disciplines. The research centre has world class research facilities including three biomechanics laboratories, a clinical imaging suite, a psychology lab and a rehabilitation flat. The School currently boasts over £5 million pounds of research funding and has extensive national and international links, with both academic and clinical partners. There is also a vibrant community of approximately 100 students studying either at Ph.D. level or Master’s by research.

For this studentship, you would work within the Applied Psychology research themes, see http://www.salford.ac.uk/research/health-sciences/research-groups/virtual-reality and http://www.salford.ac.uk/research/health-sciences/research-groups/psychology for further details. Applied Psychology Research at The University of Salford is housed within Psychology and Public Health in the School of Health Sciences. We have a thriving research culture with connections to school communities, health services and industry. Our students are have ample opportunities for research training and have an excellent track record of securing roles after completion. To find out more the research undertaken in Health Sciences at Salford see http://www.salford.ac.uk/research/health-sciences/ and to learn more about studying for a Ph.D. in health sciences at Salford, see http://www.salford.ac.uk/research/health-sciences/postgraduate-research

Eligibility
We welcome applications from motivated and enthusiastic candidates who should have at least a first or upper second class honours in Psychology or an area directly relevant to the proposed research.