PhD Studentship: What are the Psychological Effects of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis?

Supervisor: Prof Adrian Gardner

College: Health and Life Sciences

You are invited to apply for a fully funded PhD at Aston University exploring psychological aspects of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS). Although surgery straightens the spine, AIS is associated with poor self-image and psychological distress. This project will investigate this, developing assessment and management tools.

Financial Support

This studentship includes a bursary to cover the home fees rate, plus an annual allowance of £20,780.

Overseas applicants may apply for this studentship but will need to pay the difference between the ‘Home’ and the ‘Overseas’ tuition fees. Currently the is £16,844 in 2025/6. As part of the application, you will be required to confirm that you will provide this additional funding. Please indicate this on the application form in the funding section.

Details of the Project

Research question

What are the experiences and psychological support needs of adolescents living with AIS?

Background

AIS is a condition causing back and torso asymmetry. This asymmetry creates concern, associated with a dislike of body shape. Surgery improves both self-image and mental health, maintained over the longer term. However, literature suggests that those with AIS report difficulties including depression, anxiety including eating disorders, self-harm and suicidal ideation. The service specification for management of AIS says every spine unit must have access to paediatric psychological services.

There is a lack of qualitative research exploring the experiences and psychological support needs of those with AIS. Supporting current understanding with experiential data would inform the development of future services, improving outcomes for those with AIS and their families.

Likely directions of the planned research

• A systematic review of the literature around the psychological aspects of AIS.
• Adolescent perspective of AIS exploring how they live with their condition and their views on the effect of their scoliosis on mental health, self-image and interactions with the world.
• Parent perspective of their experiences of parenting an adolescent with AIS and their views on it affects the adolescent’s psychological health.
• Co-design of new resources/Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) to be used to support those with AIS and their families.

Outputs

The outputs will be resources available via Scoliosis Support and Research and the British Scoliosis Society, along with NHS trusts through websites, newsletters and pamphlets.

Person Specification

Candidates should have been awarded, or expect to achieve, EITHER:

a] a First or Upper Second Class award in their Undergraduate Degree (Bachelors or UG Masters) from a UK institution, in a subject judged by Aston to be relevant to the proposed research.

OR

b] a Merit (or above)* in a Postgraduate Masters degree in a relevant subject AND an Undergraduate Degree (Bachelors or UG Masters), both from UK institutions.

*where appropriate.

Preferred skill requirements include knowledge/experience of qualitative research methods (e.g. interviews/focus groups, thematic analysis) and quantitative methods (e.g. collection/statistical analysis of survey data, development of psychometric tools).

Knowledge of the impact of long-term conditions on patients and their families would be beneficial.

Experience of working with children or young people desirable.

Submitting an application

Please see this page for all the documents required.

Apply for this position via the above ‘Apply’ button.

Closing Date: 5^th January 2026

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