Understanding how illness narratives in individuals with chronic neurological disease can become more active by looking at their illness narrative master plots and establishing the psychology which enables this

Recent advances in rehabilitation for people with neurological disease have identified the role of illness narratives. My current work has considered master plots of people with neurological conditions. That is common stories that others can relate to who have both experienced this condition and not. These narratives contain a great deal of psychological information and have the potential to be used in practice. This PhD(s) will consider examining how this is possible within the context of rehabilitation and physical activity. This work is unique and will be offering a student the opportunity to develop my interests further.

The PhD structure would be:
1. Select a neurological group either: Stroke, Parkinson’s, or Multiple Sclerosis
2. Undertake a specialist theory generating review looking at physical activity, hope and narratives
3. Undertake a vignette designed for patients to consider their responses to particular narrative master plots
4. Undertake a qualitative study considering how narratives are shared between individuals
4. Identify a feasibility study and undertake it that uses narratives knowledge as a way to promote physical activity engagement