The role of language use and self-concept in psychosocial interventions for people living with dementia

About the Project

Dementia is a global public health priority. People living with dementia often face challenges in daily functioning and diminished quality of life, as the disorder affects many important cognitive functions. To date, no cure has been identified. Certain types of psychosocial interventions (e.g., Cognitive Stimulation Therapy, CST) have proven effective in enhancing both cognition and quality of life. The mechanism of action of these evidence-based complex intervention is yet unclear. Discovery in this area could improve lives of millions of people impacted by the disorder, and inform our understanding about cognition in a highly prevalent brain disorder.

This project is part of an ongoing research theme at the International Cognitive Stimulation Therapy Centre (see https://www.ucl.ac.uk/international-cognitive-stimulation-therapy/). Using various research methods, including automated behavioural marker identification through therapeutic session data, experiments, and neuroimaging techniques, the research team has been exploring potential mechanisms of CST’s effects on cognition and quality of life. Preliminary findings suggest a potential role of language use at discourse level, episodic memory retrieval, and metal self-representation, possibly due to the conversational nature of CST with an emphasis on promoting personhood in people living with dementia.

The aim of this PhD project is to conduct further investigations to test hypotheses surrounding language use and self-concept as key mechanisms of action in psychosocial interventions for dementia. We are looking for a PhD candidate who is ready to take up the challenge in tackling this research question together with an experienced international research team. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to work with experts in related disciplines of old age psychology and psychiatry, computer science, and statistics from University College London, The University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, The University of Auckland, and other collaborating institutes.

Funding Notes

Eligibility Requirements: Applicants are expected to have a minimum upper second-class undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent) in psychology or a related subject (e.g., cognitive science, language sciences). Experience in dementia care and psychosocial interventions is desirable.