How Can We Develop Culturally Adapted Support for Dementia Family Carers from Ethnic Minority Groups? at University of East Anglia

Background         

Caring for someone with dementia can be hard, and family carers are at higher risk of anxiety and depression. Despite this, family carers are under-provided for by NHS psychological services. This is compounded for dementia family carers from ethnic minority groups who receive the least dementia carer support in the UK. Furthermore, they are also underrepresented in research. For example, the Asian dementia patient group is considered the second largest group followed by the white British patient group in the UK. However, a recent literature that reviewed studies involving UK South Asian dementia patients could not identify a single clinical trial of an intervention in this population, either for patients or carers. Therefore, future research efforts need to focus on understanding the needs of carers from such disadvantaged groups and explore whether culturally sensitive interventions could better support them.

Research methodology

This PhD project aims to understand the needs of ethnic minority dementia carers by examining whether the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms differ across carers from different ethnic backgrounds and if common psychological factors targeted in psychotherapies equally predict anxiety and depressive symptoms across such carers. The project will also explore barriers to accessing support among ethnic minority dementia carers in the UK and how best to overcome them. These aims will be achieved by using various quantitative and qualitative research methods to enable the candidate to be equipped with a range of research skills required to advance their career.

Training

Associate Professor Kishita (clinical psychologist, primary supervisor) and Professor Farquhar (nursing background, secondary supervisor) have extensive experience in family carer research. The successful candidate will have opportunities to receive supervision from a vibrant multi-disciplinary research team and benefit from other related research projects, which will be important for their career development.

Person specification

This project is suitable for candidates with interest/experience in dementia care, mental health research or family carers. The successful candidate must have a good first degree (at least 2:1 or equivalent) in the relevant subject area. A Masters in a related topic area or equivalent research experience will be an advantage.

This PhD project is in a Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences competition for funded studentships.  These studentships are funded for 3 years and comprise UK (Home) fees, an annual stipend of £18,622 and £1,000 per annum for research training (RTSG). International applicants may apply but are required to secure additional funding to fund the difference between UK and overseas tuition fees (visit: https://www.uea.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/fees for details of Home and Overseas fee rates).

Primary Supervisor: Naoko Kishita  

Start Date: October 2024

For more information on this project, please visit https://www.uea.ac.uk/search/courses/