About the Project
Project Outline:
The proposed programme of research will be an innovative pilot research project to design and test the effectiveness of a bespoke, trauma informed, psychological intervention delivered in conjunction with physical exercise. The physical exercise will take the form of strength and conditioning training (gym work) and aims to engage young men, as this group have historically proved the most difficult to engage for Llamau.
The intervention is aimed at young men with multiple complex needs who have disengaged from support services, putting them at high risk of homelessness. Young men currently using the Llamau services have reported that gym sessions would be their preferred exercise activity. Delivering a psychological intervention in conjunction with physical exercise is an innovative idea and, it is hoped, will increase the re-engagement of young people in services. If this is the outcome, we expect there to be a positive impact on physical and psychological health as well as preventing homelessness. The project is consistent with the Public Health Wales plan to ensure that, ‘Wherever possible focus efforts on ensuring that, from the earliest possible age, individuals are supported to follow a health benefiting and crime free life course that allows them to realise their full potential.’ (Bellis et al. 2015:21)
Exercise itself is known to have a positive impact on mental health, in particular depression and anxiety, and has been shown to help build self-esteem (Upton and Thirlaway 2011; Hardman & Stensel 2009). McGale, McArdle & Gaffney (2012) report that an integrated exercise/CBT mental health promotion for men was perceived to increase physical skill, social support, positive affect and generate changes in daily behaviour. This project will combine exercise (specifically strength & conditioning training) with goal setting, motivation and resiliency training in a non-clinical environment. This ‘health by stealth’ approach is hoped will help hard-to-reach young men to improve mental and physical wellbeing and reduce involvement with negative or harmful coping mechanisms.
A research steering group will be formed including the supervisors of the project, Llamau staff and young people (service user) representation.
The project will comprise three arms:
1) Explore the impact of an exercise only intervention as a means of improving wellbeing in young men.
2) Explore the impact of a psychological trauma treatment intervention as a means of improving wellbeing in young men.
3) Explore the impact of a psychological trauma treatment intervention combined with exercise intervention on the wellbeing of young men.
Proposed work as detailed below:
WP1: Systematic Review of the literature
WP2: Designing and implementing the intervention
WP3: Data collection
WP4: Data Analysis
WP5: Recommendations/Implementation
The scholarship offers all eligible participants (student):
•KESS PhD Scholarship holders do not pay fees;
•A monthly stipend in line with RCUK rates: 3 years of funding @ £14,198 per year for PhD
•An additional budget to support your research of £3,000 for travel, conference attendance, minor equipment, consumables and training
•An opportunity to access a suite of higher level skills training & attendance at a residential KESS Grad School
•A minimum of 30 days a year working with the company partner on their allocated project
•Students must complete & submit their thesis within 3.5 years for PhD
•All participants must complete the KESS Postgraduate Skills Development Award
To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants should have UK or EU Citizenship, and be resident in the convergence area of Wales on appointment (or be studying in or working in the convergence area immediately prior to starting the project) and should have the right to work in the region on qualification. Residence confirmed by providing documents such as driver’s licence, tenancy agreement or recent statement from bank or building society.
The map for the eligible area can be http://www.ukassistedareasmap.com/ieindex.html. NB: The map also illustrates other assisted areas in the UK, however only the West Wales and the Valleys (in blue/grey: noted as ’a’ areas) is eligible in this project.
To obtain an application form (Participant Application Form) and for further information regarding KESS2 at Cardiff Metropolitan, http://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/research/Documents/KESSII/CMU_KESS-II-Participant-Proposal-Form.docx
To apply, please submit completed application form to Dr Nicola Bowes Email: [Email Address Removed]
Interviews for this post will take place in the week beginning the 7th June, with a proposed commencement date of June/July 2018
Funding Notes
Supported by Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships 2 (KESS2) which is an All Wales higher level skills initiative led by Bangor University on behalf of the HE sector in Wales. It is part funded by the Welsh Government’s European Social Fund (ESF) convergence programme for West Wales and the Valleys.