This scholarship is provided by Swansea University’s College of Human and Health Sciences
Research Theme: Investigating driving cessation in older adults.
Giving-up driving in later life has been identified as an important transition point and precursor of increased isolation in later life. It is strongly correlated with an increase in depression and loneliness (Fonda, et al., 2001; Ling and Mannion, 1995; Marattoli et al, 1997). Such loss of mobility is a predictor of reduction in independence in older adults, being associated with indicative measures such as activities of daily living (ADLs, e.g. Hybels et al, 2010), level of participation in social roles (Anaby et al., 2009), “life space constriction” (Stalvey et al. 1999) and consequent development of frailty (Xue et al., 2007) and need for care.
This studentship will be primarily supervised by Dr.Charles Musselwhite and will build on his research work examining ways of breaking these links, (Musselwhite & Shergold, 2013; Musselwhite and Haddad, 2010a,b; Shergold et al., 2013). There will also be an opportunity to work with colleagues at Aston University’s Research Centre for Healthy Ageing. Expertise from health psychology, gerontology and cognitive ageing will be combined to inform outcome planning interventions. The overarching aim is to produce an evidenced and evaluated outcome tool that will enable older drivers to plan ahead for active and engaged life after appropriate driving cessation. Methods could involve both qualitative and quantitative data collection with a range of older people who are planning to or have already given-up driving. Findings captured examining individual health, transition points and cognition factors from both social and environmental contexts will be used to create a model of ideal ways to plan for driver cessation, based on multidisciplinary perspectives from health psychology theory. This model will then be tested and validated with a group of older people.
How to Apply:
Email: a.m.davis@swansea.ac.uk
College of Human and Health Sciences,
1st Floor Vivian Tower,
Swansea University,
Singleton Park,
Swansea,
SA2 8PP, UK.
Informal enquiries about this project are welcome and may be directed to Dr Charles Musselwhite: c.b.a.musselwhite@swansea.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1792 518696