“She’s my memory; he’s my legs!” Couples’ experiences of living with dementia and multiple health conditions.
Postgraduate researcher: Rosie Dunn
Supervisors: Prof Emma Wolverson and Dr Andrea Hilton
The aim of this research is to explore the lived experiences of couples living with dementia and multiple health conditions. The research will be conducted from an interpretive phenomenological perspective, utilising creative methods such as photographic diaries and photo and object-elicitation techniques within interviews with couples. The findings from this research will help to educate health and social care practitioners the best ways to support couples living with dementia and multiple health conditions, as well as lead to the development of evidence-based, relationship-centred care interventions, in the hope that couples can continue to live well at home for as long as possible.
Dunn, R., Clayton, E., Wolverson, E. and Hilton, A. (2022). Conceptualising comorbidity and multimorbidity in dementia: a scoping review and syndemic framework. Journal of Multimorbidity and Comorbidity, 12 https://doi.org/10.1177/26335565221128432
Dunn, R., Wolverson, E. and Hilton, A. (2024). Exploring the interplay between dementia, multiple health conditions and couplehood: A qualitative evidence review and meta-ethnography. Dementia (London, England), 23(1), 41–68. https://doi.org/10.1177/14713012231214017
Multimorbidity at Midlife
Postgraduate researcher: Justine Krygier
Supervisors: Dr Liz Price and Dr Jo Bell
My research will explore the lived experiences of individuals at midlife with multiple health issues to better understand the impact of multimorbidity at this stage of the life course. It will aim to consider elements such as identity, emotional resources and mental health implications from an Existential and Humanistic perspective.
Multimorbidity and the workplace: How work shapes multimorbidity in struggling coastal communities
Postgraduate researcher: Edward Hart
Supervisors: Prof Liz Walker and Dr Moira Graham
Adopting a phenomenological approach, this research shall endeavour to elicit the felt experience of multimorbidity by exploring the critical influence of both working conditions and the ‘work imperative’. The research seeks to ascertain specific factors pertinent to coastal communities that have been subject to persisting economic decline and how this influences the intersectionality between multimorbidity and work.
Exploring the role of physical activity in the treatment and recovery of service users with alcohol dependence
Postgraduate researcher: Buse Apel
Supervisors: Prof Tom Phillips and Prof Judith Cohen
The current study will explore the role of physical activity in the treatment and recovery of service users with alcohol dependence. The associations between physical activity and alcohol dependence, and the barriers and facilitators of engaging in physical activity will be identified. Then, a physical activity intervention will be developed and the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention will be tested.
Are death cafes a useful approach to having conversations about death and dying with people who have dementia?
Postgraduate researcher: Catherine Wood
Supervisors: Prof Emma Wolverson and Dr Liz Price
This research aims to explore whether conversations about death and dying, with people who have dementia, can be enhanced by using the death café approach. The research will involve a series of cafés to which people with and without dementia will be invited to participate in. Observational and narrative analysis will be employed to determine outcomes. People are naturally reluctant to talk about their own wishes for end of life and it is hoped that this style of conversation will encourage discussion and contribute to improving the recognition of individual preference for end of life care.
Assessing lifestyle modifications in diabetes: A categorisation model to enhance adaptation
Postgraduate researcher: Kevin Christian
Supervisors: Prof. Thozhukat Sathyapalan and Dr Clare Whitfield
This research aims to provide a novel framework for understanding lifestyle modifications in diabetes. By categorising these changes, healthcare providers can develop more personalised, effective intervention strategies that improve patient outcomes and foster sustainable lifestyle changes. By enhancing our understanding of these factors through a robust categorisation model, I hope to contribute to more effective diabetes care practices and improved patient quality of life.