Development of a self-help intervention to address disordered eating and exercise in athletes

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Project Detail:

An opportunity has arisen for a funded full-time PhD at Loughborough University to start in October 2017. The studentship is a collaborative project between the School of Sport Exercise and Health Sciences and the Sports Development Centre (SDC) at Loughborough University.

Athletes are at an increased risk for disordered eating and exercise behaviours compared to non-athletes. Early identification and treatment can help to resolve the symptoms before they escalate into clinical disorders; however athletes are often reticent about seeking support due to fear of exclusion from training and/or competition. In addition, sports professionals frequently struggle to identify and manage eating problems among athletes. As yet, only a handful of intervention programmes have been specifically developed to address disordered eating and exercise among athletes, and few have been theoretically based or rigorously evaluated. In collaboration with the Sports Development Centre at Loughborough University, this project seeks to develop a self-help intervention for athletes with disordered eating and exercise behaviours. The successful candidate will conduct qualitative and quantitative investigations with key stakeholders to identify the scope and format of the intervention. The PhD will involve testing the feasibility and potential efficacy of the intervention in reducing disordered eating and exercise among athletes. The successful candidate will also work alongside SDC staff to provide

Find out more: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/ssehs/

Entry requirements:

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in Psychology, or a related subject. A Master’s degree (MSc /MRes) in Psychology or related discipline, and experience of working within a multidisciplinary team in a sport and/or clinical setting will be an advantage. Applicants should have excellent oral and written communication skills and confidence in quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Funding information:

The studentship is for three years and provides a tax free stipend of £14,553 per annum for the duration of the studentship plus tuition fees at the UK/EU rate. International (non EU) students may apply however the total value of the studentship will be used towards the cost of the International tuition fee in the first instance.

Contact details:

Name: Dr Carolyn Plateau
Email address: [Email Address Removed];
Telephone number: 01509 228487.

How to apply:

All applications should be made online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/. Under programme name, please select Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences. Please include a CV and a one-page personal statement detailing how your qualifications, experience and research interests make you a suitable candidate. Please quote reference number: SSEHS/CP/SDC

Application details:

Reference number: SSEHS/CP/SDC
Start date: 1st October 2017
Closing date: 17th July 2017
Interview date: 1st August 2017

Supervisors:

Primary supervisor: Dr Carolyn Plateau
Secondary supervisors: Dr Emma Haycraft & Rhona Pearce (SDC)