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Social and Psychological Research in Long Term Conditions (SPARC)

Our research has wide-ranging impact

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Faculty of Health Sciences
Dr Jo Bell
Reader in Psychology and Social Work and SPARC Research Lead

The Challenge

Chronic diseases have reached epidemic proportions and are the leading cause of death globally.

More people are living longer with multiple conditions, which, in addition to the significant socio-economic impacts, reduce quality of life and physical functioning while increasing mortality rates, hospital admissions, psychological distress, economic hardship and polypharmacy.

Our interdisciplinary research draws together work which explores the experience, and impact, of living with long-term conditions. SPARC prioritises the voices of people living with long-term conditions and those of their families and carers. It does this through gathering and understanding people’s stories and narratives around illness, long-term conditions and, crucially, their intersection.

The Approach

SPARC is an interdisciplinary research group that brings together diverse expertise and research experience from across the Health and Social Sciences, including Psychology, Social Work, Nursing, and Pharmacy. Our approach is to develop a holistic ‘whole person’ perspective by conceptualising and understanding how long-term conditions are experienced in everyday life.

We bring an ecological perspective that focuses on the whole person and their various support networks, recognising the importance of family carers as well as health and social care practitioners, and exploring what enables people to live well and productively.

Our research responds directly to UK government priorities articulated in a range of policy frameworks, such as the NHS Long-term Plan, the National vision for putting People at the Heart of Care and the UK Life Sciences Vision including the Dementia, Mental Health and Addiction Missions.

We have strong links with the NHS and local authorities, and attract research funding from a range of sources including Horizon 2020, the NIHR, the ESRC, NHS England and relevant charities such as Lupus UK.

 

The Impact

SPARC is dedicated to making a significant impact on people, policy, and practice within the health and social care sectors. We employ a diverse range of innovative methodologies – from experimental methods and the analysis of large data sets and care pathways to exploring the lived experiences of individuals – to enhance our understanding of care delivery and address the educational needs of health and social care professionals.

Our focus on translating cutting-edge research into practical applications not only benefits the individuals and communities we serve but also informs policymakers and practitioners, ensuring that our research leads to tangible, positive changes across the spectrum of health and social care.

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OUR AIMS

  • To undertake and disseminate high quality research relevant to health psychology, social work, social care and clinical practice.
  • To work in collaboration with people living with long-term conditions, as well as with charitable organisations, partner academic institutions, health and social work colleagues and industry.
  • To make a positive difference to the lives of people living with long-term conditions and those of their families and carers.

Research themes

Alcohol and Drug Research

Clinical and public health research which changes lives and communities and includes the alcohol and physical activity research cluster.

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Dementia Research

We undertake high quality research that empowers people with dementia and their carers to live and die well, and have an outstanding track record of wide-ranging dementia-related research.

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Developing Care and Practice

Our research considers the needs and perspectives of those who deliver care and support to people living with long-term health conditions, and practice approaches that can lead to improvements in care and support.

Medicine

The Lived Experience of Multi-morbidities

This research programme recognises the importance of undertaking research on multi-morbidity, or living with two or more chronic conditions, challenging the orientation of single disease models which currently dominate healthcare worldwide.

Mental health

Health and Social Well-being in Long Term Conditions

Focused on people living with long term conditions, our research looks at social, physical and emotional wellbeing, as well as the development of social networks and approaches to improve social isolation.

Members

Research students

“She’s my memory; he’s my legs!” - Rosie Dunn

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.

Multimorbidity at Midlife - Justine Krygier

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 - Edward Hart

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 - Buse Apel

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.

Elucidating the relationships between physical activity, physical and psychological health status (including mood, stress) and alcohol misuse in adolescence (females) - Saphsa Codling

The aims of the research are to understand the relationships between alcohol misuse and mood, and how physical activity affects these. The aims will be realised through a series of secondary data analyses, followed by the development of a preventative psychosocial intervention.

Developing a lifestyle physical activity intervention for women who misuse alcohol - Lady Gwendoline Akwa

Global evidence suggests that women participate in less physical activity and thus are prone to several lifestyle related diseases. My research will employ a mixed method design to develop a lifestyle physical activity intervention and explore the role of physical activity in mitigating the impact of alcohol misuse on women’s health.

Are death cafes a useful approach to having conversations about death and dying with people who have dementia? - Catherine Wood

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.

Inspired?

Our research impacts the world. Come and join us.

Be part of a vibrant research community at the University of Hull.

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