PhD Studentship: Transdiagnostic Mental Health Interventions for Adversity Affected Youth

Young people exposed to adversity are at risk of a range of mental health problems including anxiety, depression and conduct-related problems, making adversity a ‘transdiagnostic’ risk factor for mental disorder. Given this, transdiagnostic interventions that target shared underlying processes (e.g., dysregulated emotions, negative self-beliefs) could be appropriate but remain underexplored. Many adversity-affected youth are supported by third-sector organisations (e.g., charities), where mental health provision varies widely and focused intervention elements could be especially beneficial. This project will explore potential for embedding core transdiagnostic intervention components for youth affected by adversity into such provision, thereby enhancing this key source of support.  As such, the objectives for this project are to determine what key processes should be the target of any transdiagnostic interventions for trauma-affected youth, and whether and how these processes can be addressed via third sector organisations that routinely offer support for this group. 

This PhD project will be embedded within the NIHR Mental Health Research Group at the University of Bath, comprising a large team of researchers focused on mental health in the under 25s. For more information about the Bath Mental Health Research Group and the study team, please see: https://bathmhrg.org/

Funding Information

Up to £2000 a year for research costs and training, plus £300 a year for a travel or conference attendance. There is also flexible funding of up to £5000 to support high-cost research and/or external training costs.   

Full tuition fees for 4 years at the UK/Home rate will also be covered. These studentships are open to both Home and International students. International applicants should note that the funding unfortunately does NOT cover the cost of a student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK.