Psychology PhD scholarship

• Chair of Studies and Supervisor: Elizabeth Roxburgh
• Supervisor: Amanda Diserholt
• Supervisor: Emma Barrowcliffe

Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) is a personality trait identified by deeper processing ofinformation, increased empathy, a tendency to become easily overwhelmed, and sensorysensitivities (Aron & Aron, 1997). People with SPS, referred to as Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs), may be more susceptible to physical health conditions. Whilst many studies have investigated the link between SPS and psychological problems, such as depression, anxiety, and stress (Fernandes & Panwar, 2024; Liss et al., 2008; Mac et al., 2024), research on the direct connection between SPS and physical health is limited. Studies have shown a correlation between SPS and stress, ill-health symptoms, and gastrointestinal issues, there remains a gap in research regarding the specific physical health challenges and illnesses faced by HSPs and in a more diverse sample.

This research proposal aims to investigate whether HSPs are more prone to physical health issues, considering factors, such as stress, coping mechanisms, and lifestyle factors. The research will use a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection to provide a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between high sensitivity and physical health outcomes.

Aims of the research will be to identify any specific health conditions or physical ailments that are more prevalent in HSPs, investigate whether HSPs experience higher rates of physical health problems compared to non-HSPs, and explore coping mechanisms and experiences of seeking support. This study could offer valuable insights into the unique health challenges faced by HSP and inform future healthcare practices and interventions.

Research theme: Improving psychological wellbeing and health

• Chair of Studies: Elizabeth Roxburgh
• Supervisor: Aida Malovic

Sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) is defined as a personality trait identified by deeper processing of information, being easily overwhelmed by stimulation, having greater empathy and emotional reactivity, and being able to sense subtleties in the environment (Aron & Aron,1997). It is estimated that 30% of people are highly sensitive, 40% are moderately sensitive,and 30% are low sensitive (Lionetti et al., 2018).

Greven (2022) proposes that there are similarities between SPS and autism in terms of sensory sensitivities and being easily over stimulated, but also differences in that SPS is associated with higher-than-average theory of mind and autism being related with lower than average theory of mind. She argues that misdiagnosis may occur, especially as there is nothing taught about SPS in textbooks for healthcare professionals.

Few studies have empirically investigated the relationship between autism and SPS, and there has been no qualitative research exploring the similarities and differences between autistic people and those who identify as highly sensitive persons/SPS.

As such, this PhD will include a survey study investigating the convergences and divergences between autism and SPS in adults on psychological measures in relation to wellbeing, and the selection of measures will be informed by a qualitative study with people who identify as autistic and highly sensitive in a participatory research design.

Research theme: Improving psychological wellbeing and health

• Chair of Studies: Sukhi Shergill
• Supervisor: Teresa C. D’Oliveira
• Supervisor: Borja Martinez-Gonzalez

Sleep is a crucial circadian rhythm recognised as a biological process involved in the recovery and maintenance of several physiological and cognitive functions (Rattenborg and Pravosudov, 2010). Disturbances in sleep are associated to several physiological (e.g.,neurodegenerative diseases), psychological (e.g., depression), and behavioural (e.g.,accidents) impairments. Sleep has been recognised as a vital indicator of wellbeing (Hale etal., 2020).

Sleep in Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a mood disorder characterised by an onset of depression in the fall and winter months, and spontaneous remission in the spring and summer (Roshental, 1984), has been primarily presented as delayed sleep timings and self reports of hypersomnolence, but it is still unclear whether it is due to circadian or behavioural misalignment (Wescott et al., 2020). SAD is connected to circadian rhythm disruptions that regulate the sleep-wake cycle. These disturbances can result in delayed sleep timing and a misalignment between the body's internal clock and the external environment.

SAD-related symptoms, such as poor sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and low mood can worsen sleep and depressive symptoms and diminish overall quality of life. There is some experimental evidence to support a phase-delay hypothesis, suggesting that in individuals with SAD, circadian rhythms are delayed compared to their sleep/wake or rest/activity cycles, proposing that advancing these rhythms could alleviate SAD symptoms (Lewy et al., 2009; Magnusson & Boivin, 2009). Furthermore, excessive melatonin production during shorter daylight periods in winter can lead to increased sleepiness and other depressive symptoms (Pereira et al., 2017).

The objectives of the PhD are:

1. to further explore the literature on the associations between SAD, sleep, and circadian rhythms
2. to investigate the dynamic interaction between sleep and circadian misalignment, cognition, melatonin, and light exposure in both healthy individuals and patients with depression
3. to study the role of melatonin production in disruptions to circadian rhythms and SAD symptoms.

The project is anchored in the multicentre CHiP-D project funded by the Wellcome Trust offering the candidate a supportive and dynamic research environment. The PhD candidate will expand the current scope of the project to include seasonal affective disorder symptoms.

Research theme: Improving psychological wellbeing and health

• Chair of Studies: Sukhi Shergill
• Supervisor: Teresa C. D’Oliveira
• Supervisor: Rob Hickman

Sleep is one of the most basic and essential circadian rhythms and is defined as a “nonnegotiable biological state required for the maintenance of human life” (Grandner & Fernandez, 2021, p. 568) involving a naturally recurring set of highly orchestrated physiological processes. The ubiquity of sleep to optimal biological functioning and performance has been associated with impairments in physical health, psychological health, and behavioural outcomes.

In the last decade, the study of sleep underwent major developments as the result of two major influences: acknowledging sleep health as a key marker of overall health (Hale et al, 2020) and the need to adopt a systems approach to the study, promotion, and amelioration of sleep health (Grandner, 2019).

Despite the methodological challenges when monitoring sleep health (D'Oliveira & Anagnostopoulos, 2020), and the need for a more comprehensive analysis of the social and societal determinants of sleep health (Hale et al, 2020), research recognises that the increasing diversification of working time patterns and the associated circadian stress are risk factors for health, safety, and social wellbeing (Costa, 2003; D’Oliveira, 2011; RCN,2012).

One area raising increased interest is the potential associations between shift work and dementia particularly in the case of night work. A need exists to explore how shiftwork mayfunction as a modifiable risk factor in the development and evolution of the neurodegenerative process.

The objectives of the PhD are:

1. To systematically review the literature on the associations between shift work and dementia.
2. To examine the dynamic interplay between sleep and circadian misalignment, cognition, melatonin, and exposure to light in healthy participants, shift workers, and dementia patients.
3. Given that pupil size has been proposed as a psychophysiological biomarker of early risk of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease (Granholm et al, 2017; El Haj et al, 2022), we want to explore the use of pupillometry as a potential biomarker of differential cognitive processing across the three groups.

Research theme: Improving psychological wellbeing and health

• Chair of Studies: Professor Sukhi Shergill
• Supervisor: Dr Philip Ulrich
• Supervisor: Professor Teresa C. D’Oliveira

As stated in the previous proposal, sleep is one of the most basic and essential circadian rhythms and is defined as a “non-negotiable biological state required for the maintenance of human life” (Grandner & Fernandez, 2021, p. 568) involving a naturally recurring set of highly orchestrated physiological processes. The ubiquity of sleep to optimal biological functioning and performance has been associated with impairments in physical health, psychological health, and behavioural outcomes. In the last decade, the study of sleep underwent major developments as the result of two major influences: acknowledging sleep health as a key marker of overall health (Hale et al, 2020) and the need to adopt a systems approach to the study, promotion, and amelioration of sleep health (Grandner, 2019).

Despite the methodological challenges when monitoring sleep health (D'Oliveira & Anagnostopoulos, 2020), and the need for a more comprehensive analysis of the social and societal determinants of sleep health (Hale et al, 2020), research recognises that the increasing diversification of working time patterns and the associated circadian stress are risk factors for health, safety, and social wellbeing (Costa, 2003; D’Oliveira, 2011; RCN,2012).

One factor with multiple interactions with sleep health, rhythms, and quality, but which has received relatively little attention in the literature, is that of olfaction. One reason for this link might be from the direct synapses between olfactory systems and sleep control nuclei (Gaeta & Wilson, 2022). Another might be linked to the olfactory bulb’s ability to synthesise melatonin (Corthell et al., 2014).

Whilst this PhD does not propose to determine the mechanism of effect, it does aim to contribute important and necessary data to understand the bond between sleep and olfaction. If the role of smell in sleep health can be understood, it may be used to help compensate for circadian disturbances and potentially modulate circadian rhythms. The thesis objective will be to examine the bidirectional relationship between olfaction and sleep health, and the subsequent effect on measures of wellbeing and cognition in those with regular circadian disturbances such as shift workers.

Research themes: Improving psychological wellbeing and health, and understanding cognitive, developmental, and neuropsychological processes

• Supervisor / Chair: Dr James Cane
• Supervisor: Dr Philip Ulrich

Gambling has existed in disparate forms for thousands of years, and is considered by many as an enjoyable game, social activity, hobby, and even a source of income. However, it can also be extremely problematic; gambling addictions have now reached crisis point in the UK and have become a key central government mental health concern (Abbott, 2020).

Lockdown restrictions imposed around the world during the pandemic acted as a catalyst to the crisis of online forms of gambling (Wardle et al., 2021). Online gambling is considered an extremely high-risk activity due to its associated convenience, uninterrupted availability, and the privacy that it affords the user (Hing et al., 2015). Furthermore, the lack of legislation in this field means there are no restrictions to when, or how frequently, users can access online gambling platforms (Hodgins & Stevens, 2021).

Recent attempts to reduce problematic gambling include national treatment centres (Johnstone & Regan, 2020), personal feedback interventions (Peter et al., 2019), and psychotherapy interventions (Ginley et al., 2019), all of which vary in efficacy but often require substantial time and financial investment. Recent data provides an intriguing alternative intervention: the smell of lavender during a computer-based gambling task significantly reduced the amount they bet (Ulrich & Weaver, unpublished). There are several potential mechanisms for this. It is established that arousal is a key contributory factor to gambling (and indeed risk-taking in general), whereby an increase in heart rate is associated with increased risk taking and gambling (Anderson & Brown, 1984).

Relatedly, different scents have the ability to manipulate arousal levels and can, therefore, affect gambling. Furthermore, the neural correlates of gambling (prefrontal and limbic circuits; Raimo et al., 2021) overlap with the processing areas of olfaction. There is also evidence that olfaction training can indirectly affect gambling by improving general brain function and cognition (Vance et al., 2024).

This PhD research seeks to experimentally explore the effects of olfactory stimulation on risk taking behaviour, specifically online gambling. To begin, the research would explore different smells to test the hypothesis that the effect of smell of gambling is related to arousal levels. Investigation would then explore facets such as duration of affect, ecological validity, moreintense olfactory training, and whether other risk taking tendencies are affected.

The research fits well within the cognitive and neuropsychological, as well as the health research themes. It will lead to truly novel findings, contributing to theoretical models of olfaction and risk taking, and has the potential of significant impact with an easily applicable, cheap, simple, and pleasant intervention to a UK social crisis.

Research themes: Improving psychological wellbeing and health, and understanding cognitive, developmental, and neuropsychological processes