Prof Angel Chater, Dr T O'Donovan
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
This is an exciting opportunity to examine the role of physical activity and team sport in supporting young people’s health and wellbeing, with a specific focus on those who have been bereaved after the death of a parent or significant loved one.
The candidate
Applicants with a strong background in Health Psychology, Physical Activity and Sport Science or a related discipline are encouraged to apply. There is also the opportunity to combine this PhD studentship with BPS Accredited Health Psychology or Sport and Exercise Psychology Stage 2 supervision under the guidance of the Primary Supervisor Dr Angel Chater.
The studentship holder will extend and maintain local networks, harnessing existing collaborations between partner organisations such as the local County Sport Partnership (CSP) and CHUMS (mental health and emotional wellbeing service for children and young people) and the University of Bedfordshire. It is expected that the successful applicant will help foster knowledge exchange between the University and the health sector, thus ensuring the work has impact beyond the proposed research programme.
Area of research
Losing a parent suddenly can have significant health consequences. Although at any stage of the life-course this can be a traumatic event, given the significant changes and challenges that occur in adolescence (e.g. puberty/ GCSEs), this is a critical period where support is needed. Physical activity can have a significant positive impact on both physical and psychological health, including anxiety and depression. It can also manage emotional responses such as aggression and delinquency. While there are support services offered to young people after the sudden loss of a parent, such as that offered through CHUMS, some adolescents may be reluctant to engage.
This programme of research aims to support young people who have lost a parent by engaging them in physical activity and team sport with other young people who have experienced similar loss. It will aim to understand the needs of young people after they have lost a parent suddenly (both accidentally and intentionally) and to develop a 12 week sports programme which will be offered to young people. The sports programme will provide an opportunity to play with others who have experienced a similar bereavement. Through physical activity the pedagogy will focus on the development of group cohesion and belonging rather than on bereavement or death. It further aims to support the parent left behind, or legal guardian if both parents are no longer in the young person’s life, giving them the opportunity to share their experiences. To achieve this, the research will consist of four key stages:
1. A systematic review of the literature of a) the number of young people who have been bereaved by the sudden death of a parent, b) the support given to young people after the sudden death of a parent and c) the use of physical activity and sport to support those who have been bereaved (adult and child).
2. A qualitative investigation of the experiences of young people who have lost a parent.
3. A mixed-methods (quantitative and qualitative) feasibility study of a 12 week sports programme that aims to provide an environment where bereaved young people can meet, play and develop a sense of group cohesion.
4. A feasibility study of a 12 week coffee group attached to the sports programme, offered to the surviving caregiver/legal guardian.
The successful applicant, in collaboration with the supervisory team led by Dr Angel Chater [Email Address Removed] and Dr Toni O’Donovan [Email Address Removed], will be responsible for developing the final project outline to ensure that it draws on the student’s interests, background and research expertise.
Reference: ISPAR-HW6
For an application pack or any application queries please email [Email Address Removed] quoting the reference number.