This funding model includes a 36 month fully funded PhD Studentship, in-line with the Research Council values, which comprises a tax-free stipend paid monthly (2024/5 - £19,237) per year and a Full Time Fee Scholarship for up to 3 years, subject to you making satisfactory progression within your PhD.
All applicants will receive the same stipend irrespective of fee status.
Application Closing Date:
23:59 on Tuesday 30th April 2024 for a start date of the 2nd September 2024.
How to Apply
To apply, please complete the project proposal form, ensuring that you quote the project reference, and then complete the online application where you will be required to upload your proposal in place of a personal statement as a pdf document.
You will also be required to upload two references, at least one being an academic reference, and your qualification/s of entry (Bachelor/Masters certificate/s and transcript/s).
Project Title: Self-Compassion in Eating: Developing Measures and Interventions to Promote Healthier Eating Behaviours
Project Lead: Dr Misba Hussain Misba.Hussain2@bcu.ac.uk
Reference: SCiEB
Project Description
The current PhD aims to (1) establish the first self-compassion eating scale (2) determine the role of self-compassion and self-kindness in promoting healthier eating behaviours.
Phase 1: Using current knowledge and understanding of self-compassion and eating behaviours, the research aims to validate a self-compassion eating behaviour scale using four studies. Study 1 will involve experts reviewing items in the scale to ensure they align with the concept of self-compassion and eating. Study 2 will measure the scale’s internal consistency and structure. Study 3 will assess the scale’s stability over a two week period. Study 4 will compare the newly established scale with other established scales and constructs. Together, these studies will contribute towards the reliability and validity of the first self-compassion eating behaviour scale.
Phase 2: The following three studies will use randomised control experiments to explore the effect of self-compassion and self-kindness in promoting healthier eating behaviours. In study 5, participants will participate in either a brief self-compassionate, self-critical, or self-kindness activity. In study 6, participants will participate in either a brief self-kindness to mind, self-kindness to mind and body, or control activity. In study 7, participants will participate in a 5 day intervention and complete activities either on self-kindness to mind, self-kindness to body, or self-kindness to mind and body. All studies in phase 2 will assess measures, such as food consumption, self-compassion in eating, and mindful eating. Together, these studies aim to promote long term healthier eating practices using positive psychological notions of self-compassion and self-kindness.
Anticipated Findings and Contribution to Knowledge
Phase 1: The findings from phase 1 will provide innovative contributions to the field of self-compassion and eating behaviour research by establishing the first validated self-compassion eating behaviour scale. This addresses the current gap in self-compassion and eating behaviour assessment tools, and allows for a more accurate capture of self-compassion eating behaviour outcomes. The first validated self-compassion eating behaviour scale will allow researchers and practitioners to directly determine the beneficial effects of self-compassion in eating related behaviours.
Phase 2: The findings from phase 2 will contribute towards the knowledge and understanding of self-compassion and self-kindness in promoting healthier eating behaviours. The findings will provide guidance on the effectiveness of self-compassion and self-kindness eating interventions in influencing healthier eating outcomes and overall wellbeing. The findings will assist the supervisory team is preparing for future clinical trials in collaboration with regional NHS services focused on Obesity and Diabetes care.