Using Mindfulness to Reduce Suspiciousness and Paranoia in Individuals with High Positive Schizotypy.
To start: 1st October 2017
Award
1 PhD Studentship funded by Mental Health Research UK (MHRUK)
Project
Main aim: To investigate the efficacy of mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) in individuals with high positive schizotypy on reducing suspiciousness/ paranoia, whilst preserving conditions promoting creativity.
Background: Suspiciousness/paranoia, one aspect of positive schizotypy, has emerged in recent research as a possible risk factor for psychosis. However, positive schizotypy has also been shown to associate with creativity. The mechanism thought to underlie the increased creative ability in individuals with high positive schizotypy is more open information processing style (i.e. less filtering). One of the ways in which sensory information filtering is assessed experimentally is startle habituation. Previous studies showed that startle habituation is attenuated in individuals with high schizotypy, as well as patients with schizophrenia. Our recent research on expert meditators showed that trait mindfulness is associated with lower suspiciousness and paranoia in the presence of attenuated startle habituation and thus decreased filtering, suggesting that mindfulness training could potentially be used to reduce suspiciousness/paranoia in psychosis-prone individuals, whilst preserving the elements of high schizotypy associated with increased creativity.
Methods: A series of studies will investigate, for the first time, whether: (i) there is a link between high positive schizotypy, reduced information filtering and creativity; and (ii) MBI can reduce suspiciousness/paranoia in individuals scoring high on this and other aspects of positive schizotypy, whilst preserving attenuated sensory filtering thought to be associated with heightened creativity. The research will combine qualitative and quantitate approaches.
Skills training and Timeline: Year 1 –recruitment/screening of participants, psychophysiology methods training/literature review; Year 2 – data collection/analysis; Year 3- data analysis and write-up.
Supervisors
First Supervisor: Prof Paul Chadwick
Second Supervisor: Dr Elena Antonova
Entry requirements
Applicants should have (or be expected to obtain) a 2:1 or 1st class honours degree in a subject relevant to the proposed project (e.g. BSc Psychology). If applicants already possess (or expect to obtain) a research-based MSc degree, a merit or distinction level is required.
Award type and eligibility
The award covers full-time PhD studentship at MRC rate of £16,296 per year for 3 years, college PhD fees, and research expenses. Only UK/EU students are eligible for the award.
How to apply
Applicants must complete and submit an online admissions application, via the admissions portal by midnight (23:59 GMT), Friday 31st March 2017.
On the ‘Choosing a programme’ page, please select ‘Research degrees’ and enter the keyword 'Psychology,' then select Psychology Academic Research MPhil/PhD (Full-time).
In your application, you will be asked to include:
- Academic Transcripts – where applicable, academic transcripts must be submitted with the online admissions application
- Details of your qualifications (you will need to attach copies)
- Details of previous employment
- A personal statement describing your interests and why you wish to apply for this project. Please include this as an attachment rather than using the text box.
- Academic References – all admissions applications require two supporting references. If the applicant is relying on his/her referees to submit references directly to the College after he/she has submitted his/her admissions application, then the applicant must ensure that their chosen referees are made aware of the funding deadline.
In the Funding section, please tick box 5 and include the following reference: MIND-MHRUK-17
Please note there is no need to complete the Research Proposal section in your application as the project has already been set.
You are welcome to email Dr Elena Antonova (supervisor) for more information regarding the project and studentship.
If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Postgraduate Research Administrator.
References must be received by the deadline for the applicant to be eligible.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Closing Date: Friday 31st March 2017 (23:59 GMT)
Interviews: Thursday 20th April 2017.
Further Information
The funders website can be found here.