Transdiagnostic mental health mechanisms: The role of negative self-referential processing

Summary

Mental health problems are traditionally classified as discrete disorders characterised by specific symptoms. While this approach has dominated psychiatry for over a century, it has a number of significant limitations, including high rates of co-occurrence between disorders and no clear demarcation between ‘normality’ and ‘mental illness’ (see Conway et al., 2021; Eaton et al., 2023). Consequently, a number of alternative approaches to categorising psychopathology have emerged, which instead focus on symptoms and risk, protective and maintenance factors involved in a range mental health issues, regardless of their diagnostic boundary (Dalgeish et al., 2020; Kotov et al., 2017).

In this project, the successful PhD candidate will focus on negative self-referential processing (NSRP), which has been implicated as an important transdiagnostic mental health mechanism (Mennin & Fresco, 2013). Alongside common mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression, NSRP-related traits (e.g., self-criticism, rumination, worry, perfectionism) have been found to be associated with a broad range of diagnoses including psychosis, eating disorders and complex PTSD (e.g., Luca, 2019; Watson et al., 2023; Werner et al., 2019). Furthermore, research suggests these constructs may help explain the relationship between ‘normal’ personality traits (e.g., neuroticism) and psychopathological symptoms (Hong, 2013; Watson et al., 2022).

This project will involve:
1) Conducting a review of extant mental health literature to identify the inclusion and interpretation of NSRP constructs.
2) Conducting a scoping review of extant secondary mental health datasets in order to identify the inclusion, suitability and availability of NSRP constructs for secondary analysis.
3) Modelling associations between NSRP constructs (e.g. using correlational and factor analytic methods), and between NSRP constructs and a broad-range of mental health constructs using these data.
4) Collecting and analysing primary data in order to overcome gaps identified in existing secondary data resources and capture important, but potentially overlooked, relationships between NSRP and psychological distress.

Please note: Applicants with a 2:1 degree in Psychology (or close to  completion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• A demonstrable interest in the research area associated with the studentship
• Evidence of academic writing skills (a short sample of academic written work of the applicant's choosing (Max 3 pages, A4, font 11)) – please upload in the section entitled Research Proposal

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications record appropriate to career stage
• A demonstrable interest in or experience of using open science methods

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

Our fully funded PhD scholarships will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £19,237 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).  A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £900 per annum is also available.

These scholarships, funded via the Department for the Economy (DfE) and the Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS), are open to applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.