This thesis explores the relatively under-researched experiences of module design of academics employed within one UK university. In all, 96 people responded to an initial e-questionnaire survey, and 23 of these participated in follow-up semi-structured interviews. The qualitative data collected from both sources is the main focus of discussion. The thesis contextualises the research by presenting a brief description of the university of study and a sense of the social and political context of higher education in the few years preceding the onset of the project. Following this, there is a review of the existing literature around module and curriculum design. A separate chapter outlines the mixed methods employed to collect the data and the form of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) used to theme the qualitative data provided by the survey and interviews. The findings supported previous studies, but there was some contradictory data concerning assessment design, the value of the institutional approval procedures, and the usefulness of involving students in the design process. This study found that, as a result of the effect of institutional processes and documents on design, the consequence of changing student profiles (particularly around assessment), and the obligation staff feel to their students (despite their expressed lack of available time and resources), module design (and redesign) is more situation-informed than evidence-informed. It concludes that module designers employ a realistic and pragmatic approach to the process, even when their views, attitudes, and consciences around the rights and wrongs of the design process are sometimes questioned.

Purpose: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), acknowledged repeated or extreme indirect exposure to aversive details of traumatic event(s) in the course of professional duties, can lead to symptoms of PTSD. This has led to discussions around impact and prevalence of vicarious trauma in psychological therapists treating trauma clients. This study considers how therapists delivering trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) make sense of their experiences and protect themselves from any negative effects of the work. Furthermore, it considers if there is a distinction in therapist experience between the two modalities. Methodology/Method: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was conducted to explore how trauma-focused CBT and EMDR therapists engaged in trauma work, interpreted and made sense of their experiences; with a view to identifying any protective practice that informed clinical practice and helped ameliorate vicarious trauma. Recorded, semi-structured interviews were conducted with CBT and EMDR therapists (N=11). Before analysis, interviews were transcribed verbatim and sent to individual participants for validation of their authenticity. Data was analysed using descriptive, linguistic and conceptual comments to identify an initial seventy nine emergent themes. When refined, four master themes of ‘Nature of Trauma’, ‘Participant sense of self and managing the process of hearing trauma narrative’, ‘Participant experience of delivering the trauma models’ and ‘Protecting and sustaining the participant sense of self’ were identified to answer the research question and are discussed herein. Findings: This study forms part of the growing body of evidence towards understanding therapist vicarious traumatisation. It both supports and challenges findings of previous studies. It also introduces new concepts in relation to the vicarious trauma phenomenon. Whilst there are clear limitations associated with making generalisations from an IPA study, the findings from the study suggest EMDR may be a protective factor against the negative effects of hearing repeated trauma narrative. Furthermore, certain strategies such as time management, comprehensive trauma training and specific trauma supervision, may also reduce the negative effects of hearing trauma narrative. Finally, regardless of the difficulties faced, therapists enjoy their trauma work and feel a great sense of professional satisfaction. Implications/Recommendations: Indications from the findings of the study are that therapists working within primary care in particular, are becoming increasingly pressurised by cuts to funding within mental health services. Recommendations are that those components of trauma work which promote therapist wellbeing should be supported. In particular, realistic timeframes within which to work, good quality training and supervisors, ideally external to the workplace, who can provide trauma-specific supervision.

Background: Therapeutic training is considered as the beginning of therapists' professional development. Research exploring the experiences of therapeutic training, particularly the experiences of trainee counselling psychologists is scarce. Additionally, research exploring the experiences of therapists integrating a new model of therapy is also limited; this is a surprising fact given the growing development of the integration movement in the therapeutic world. Aims: The present study explores how trainee counselling psychologists, with a prior training in a 'core' therapeutic model, experience and make sense of their current training in counselling psychology. As a secondary aim, this study explores how these trainees experienced integrating a new model of therapy in their practice and the process of integration within the context of counselling psychology training. Participants: Six trainee counselling psychologists from three different training courses based in the UK, who had all been previously trained in a single school model (primarily person-centred) participated in the study. Method: The present study is an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) study. Data were collected through single, semi-structured, in-depth interviews during which participants were invited to reflect on their experiences of training. Findings: The five super-ordinate themes that were identified in the participants' narratives are: 'Desires, Expectations and Needs from counselling psychology training', 'The turbulence of counselling psychology training', 'The Questioning I', 'The Changing Self' and the 'Finding Peace'. Each of these themes described different components of these trainees' experience of counselling psychology training and reveal that it is a challenging experience on both an emotional and an intellectual level. Discussion: The identified findings of the present study deconstruct, illuminate and are illuminated by existing theoretical and empirical literature. These findings shed light on the cyclical process of professional development within the context of professional training in counselling psychology in the UK.

Esta pesquisa insere-se no campo da discussão da formação de sujeitos políticos no espaço da universidade, tendo como base as vivências de estudantes através das relações estabelecidas em órgão deliberativo, pelo sistema de representação. O objetivo da pesquisa foi analisar a intensidade e a qualidade da representação estudantil em órgãos colegiados de curso do Centro Universitário Metodista (IPA), evidenciando assim elementos que indicam fatores que favorecem ou limitam a participação dos estudantes nesses órgãos. Para tanto, partiu-se do seguinte problema: Qual a intensidade e a qualidade da participação política dos estudantes em órgãos colegiados de curso do IPA e que fatores potencializam ou limitam a participação dos mesmos nestes órgãos? A presente dissertação é uma pesquisa sob uma perspectiva qualitativa, utilizando-se da estratégia de estudo de caso, envolvendo estudantes, coordenadores dos cursos de Administração e de Pedagogia e gestores da instituição. Como ferramentas metodológicas foram utilizadas: análise documental, observações, aplicação de questionários e entrevistas semiestruturadas. A partir da análise dos dados coletados, a mesma foi dividida em três eixos reflexivos, assim denominados: Sobre a representação e a participação estudantil nos colegiados de cursos de Administração e de Pedagogia do IPA; Reconhecimento e desejo - responsabilidade de uma cultura cívica; e Qualidade de participação e conceituação de política. Como aporte teórico, destacam-se as obras dos autores Arendt, Leite e Santos, das quais as teorias sobre formação política e formação na universidade foram extraídas. Os resultados da investigação indicam que o espaço de representação estudantil em órgão deliberativo encontra desafios quanto ao papel e existência de representação estudantil e de participação de estudantes, além da motivação destes para firmar espaços de diálogo. / This research is inserted within the discussion of the formation of political subjects within the university, based on the life experiences of students through relationships established in deliberative body, by the representation system. The objective of the research was to analyze the intensity and quality of student representation in collective course organ of Centro Universitário Metodista (IPA), thus demonstrating elements that indicate factors that favor or limit the participation of students in these organs. To do so, it started with the following problem: What is the intensity and quality of political participation of students in IPA’s collegiate course organ and wich factors potentiate or limit their participation in these organs? The present dissertation is a study under a qualitative perspective, using the strategy case study, involving students, coordinators of courses in Management and Pedagogy and management of the institution. As methodological tools were used: document analysis, observations, questionnaires and structured interviews. From the analysis of the data collected, it was divided into three reflective axes, so named: On the representation and student participation in IPA’s collegiate courses Management and Pedagogy; Recognition and desire - the responsibility of a civic culture, and Quality conceptualization of participation and policy. As a theoretical contribution, we highlight the works of authors Arendt, Leite and Santos including theories about political education and training at the university were extracted. Research results indicate evidence that the student representation in space deliberative organ meets challenges existence of student representation and participation of its members, in addition to the motivation of these students to create space for dialogue.

Varied academic accounts exist of the psychological and physiological benefits experienced through engagement with music. MacDonald, Kreutz and Mitchell (2012) state that there is an increasing amount of evidence to suggest that music has the ability to positively affect our feelings of health and wellbeing. Despite qualitative studies into the benefits of music on older people, in particular singing, (Hallam et al, 2013; Clift et al, 2008), there has been less focus on this retired generation. In a study by Pickles (2003) into music and the ‘third age’, a plea is made for a further understanding of the musical opportunities and needs for this age group. For the first time ever there are more than ten million people now aged over 65 within the UK (UK Parliament website, 2015) and their number exceeds those under 16 (McVeigh, 2009). Contemporary studies indicate a positive correlation between good health and wellbeing with productive pastimes (Stephens & Flick, 2010; Franklin & Tate, 2009), and further evidence shows a positive correlation between those who are married and lifespan longevity (Jaffe et al 2006). This supports the need to further research the function of music as a motivational activity and its position within couple relationships in the older generation. The aim of this investigation was to explore lifelong musical engagement and its role in the wellbeing of married couples in retirement. Five retired couples who were in good health and actively engaged in musical pursuits were interviewed individually utilising an idiographic methodology, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Seeking to offer new insights into the importance of music in this key area of health, identity and social relationships each participant offered meaningful perspectives on the phenomenon being investigated. Analysis of their narratives revealed three overarching themes: i) the centrality of music throughout the lifespan, ii) music as a therapeutic tool, and iii) music in the present and its role in future selves. Significant findings showed how the use of music within the dyadic relationship facilitates a joint identity through the lifespan which continues into old age, assists social reconstruction when agency is under threat, brings positivity and respect through matched musical preferences, enriches feelings of positivity for the future as musical engagement is still possible when mobility becomes an issue, enhances feelings of togetherness, and provides joy through the provision of a legacy to future generations. Recommendations are made for future research into expanding awareness of specific areas of musical engagement which enhance a sense of wellbeing in older age couples, and increasing knowledge of its role in other age group intimate partnerships.

Aims: There is a well-established link between asthma and anxiety, leading to exacerbations for both conditions. National guidelines and policy documents recommend the provision of psychological interventions for this comorbidity, although evidence for their effectiveness is inconclusive. This thesis had two objectives: a) to evaluate cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) interventions for reducing anxiety in adults and/or children with asthma, given that CBT has a stronger evidence base for relevant respiratory and mental health conditions, b) to explore the lived experience of the interplay between childhood asthma and anxiety directly from the affected population in order to identify specific thinking and behaviour patterns that may maintain this comorbidity. Method: The first journal article outlined a systematic review. Three major electronic databases and manual searches were used to find relevant published and unpublished research. Trials meeting inclusion criteria, primarily utilising validated anxiety measures and employing both cognitive and behavioural techniques, were evaluated using adapted quality criteria. The second empirical article implemented interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to explore the mechanisms maintaining the interplay between asthma and anxiety as experienced by 11 young people (aged 11-15) living with the comorbidity. Results: Fourteen trials met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review. The reviewed trials showed reasonable preliminary support for the effectiveness of CBT for anxiety in individuals with asthma across the age range. The favourable results were largely maintained long-term. The empirical article revealed three super-ordinate themes: i) ‘the influence of asthma’ by inhibiting valued activities or developmental tasks, triggering catastrophic thinking and leading to a generalisation of asthma coping strategies to managing anxiety; ii) ‘the influence of anxiety’ by affecting appropriate medication use and triggering hyperventilation-induced asthma exacerbations; and iii) ‘the interaction between asthma and anxiety’ by forming an unhelpful positive feedback loop and triggering symptom confusion. Conclusions: The systematic review discussed the moderate overall study quality and called for more methodologically robust research, examining CBT models tailored to this population and utilising clinically representative samples. The empirical article pointed to possible maintaining mechanisms identified, which lend themselves to a cognitive-behavioural framework, potentially including mindfulness-based interventions, and may be used to tailor psychological treatments.

Esta pesquisa insere-se no campo da discussão da formação de sujeitos políticos no espaço da universidade, tendo como base as vivências de estudantes através das relações estabelecidas em órgão deliberativo, pelo sistema de representação. O objetivo da pesquisa foi analisar a intensidade e a qualidade da representação estudantil em órgãos colegiados de curso do Centro Universitário Metodista (IPA), evidenciando assim elementos que indicam fatores que favorecem ou limitam a participação dos estudantes nesses órgãos. Para tanto, partiu-se do seguinte problema: Qual a intensidade e a qualidade da participação política dos estudantes em órgãos colegiados de curso do IPA e que fatores potencializam ou limitam a participação dos mesmos nestes órgãos? A presente dissertação é uma pesquisa sob uma perspectiva qualitativa, utilizando-se da estratégia de estudo de caso, envolvendo estudantes, coordenadores dos cursos de Administração e de Pedagogia e gestores da instituição. Como ferramentas metodológicas foram utilizadas: análise documental, observações, aplicação de questionários e entrevistas semiestruturadas. A partir da análise dos dados coletados, a mesma foi dividida em três eixos reflexivos, assim denominados: Sobre a representação e a participação estudantil nos colegiados de cursos de Administração e de Pedagogia do IPA; Reconhecimento e desejo - responsabilidade de uma cultura cívica; e Qualidade de participação e conceituação de política. Como aporte teórico, destacam-se as obras dos autores Arendt, Leite e Santos, das quais as teorias sobre formação política e formação na universidade foram extraídas. Os resultados da investigação indicam que o espaço de representação estudantil em órgão deliberativo encontra desafios quanto ao papel e existência de representação estudantil e de participação de estudantes, além da motivação destes para firmar espaços de diálogo. / This research is inserted within the discussion of the formation of political subjects within the university, based on the life experiences of students through relationships established in deliberative body, by the representation system. The objective of the research was to analyze the intensity and quality of student representation in collective course organ of Centro Universitário Metodista (IPA), thus demonstrating elements that indicate factors that favor or limit the participation of students in these organs. To do so, it started with the following problem: What is the intensity and quality of political participation of students in IPA’s collegiate course organ and wich factors potentiate or limit their participation in these organs? The present dissertation is a study under a qualitative perspective, using the strategy case study, involving students, coordinators of courses in Management and Pedagogy and management of the institution. As methodological tools were used: document analysis, observations, questionnaires and structured interviews. From the analysis of the data collected, it was divided into three reflective axes, so named: On the representation and student participation in IPA’s collegiate courses Management and Pedagogy; Recognition and desire - the responsibility of a civic culture, and Quality conceptualization of participation and policy. As a theoretical contribution, we highlight the works of authors Arendt, Leite and Santos including theories about political education and training at the university were extracted. Research results indicate evidence that the student representation in space deliberative organ meets challenges existence of student representation and participation of its members, in addition to the motivation of these students to create space for dialogue.

Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is a therapeutic modality which is commonly argued to be oriented to a medical model, and so to diverge significantly in theory and practice from the traditional relational and humanistic roots of counselling psychology. A large body of literature and research exists which examines counselling psychologists’ professional identity in medical settings, but there appears to be a significant gap in the extant literature relating to how counselling psychologists experience professional identity specifically in the practice of CBT, a therapeutic modality which presently provides a considerable amount of employment for counselling psychologists. To address this gap, the present study sought to explore qualitatively whether counselling psychologists’ experience of their professional identity is affected by the inclusion of CBT in their practice. A sample of eight counselling psychologists who worked with CBT and had been qualified for at least five years were interviewed. Data gathered from the semistructured interviews were transcribed and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), a method selected because it is concerned with the detailed examination of personal lived experience and the meaning of experience to participants. The methodology was approached within the contextual constructionist epistemological framework. Three superordinate themes, each containing four subordinate themes, emerged from participants’ accounts: (i) components of professional identity; (ii) the contribution of CBT to the professional self; and (iii) how CBT compromises the professional self. The findings are discussed in relation to the relevant literature, and lines of enquiry that have emerged have been located in current postmodern literature, arguments and debates. One main conclusion of the present study is that feeling comfortable with CBT can CBT, Counselling Psychology and Professional Identity 3 depend upon practitioners’ initial training, personal experience, cultural background, personal characteristics and personal beliefs – that is, the professional self as emerging from the personal self. Clinical implications, methodological limitations, directions for future research and reflections upon the researcher’s reflexivity are presented.

Background: Self-harm is important considering the demand it places on health services and its strong association as a risk factor for suicide. Research regarding protective factors for self-harm is limited, protective factors can be personal or social resources that reduce the impact of negative consequences, in the face of stressors. Identifying protective factors is important, provided they can be enhanced and utilised to inform intervention. Aims: This thesis had two aims; to systematically review the literature investigating the relationship between social support and suicidality, and to use Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to explore the factors that support desistance from self-harm. Methods: Quantitative studies, exploring the relationship between social support and suicidality were reviewed systematically. The empirical study employed Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to investigate self-harm behaviour in context, identify potential protective factors and explore what participants have found to be helpful to desist from selfharm behaviour. Semi structured interviews were conducted with nine participants (18- 61years) recruited from the Adult Community Mental Health Team. Results: Findings of the systematic review indicate that there is an association between poor social support and increased suicidality in adulthood. In the empirical study four main themes emerged from the data: Self-harm provided Relief from Psychological Distress, Difficulties Communicating, Social support and Gradual desistance. Conclusions: Social support may be an important factor that protects against suicidality; however further research is required to investigate this association. Findings from the empirical study suggest that treatment providers must be sensitive to the context and function of self-harm behaviour for the individual, and be willing to work to reduce the self-harm behaviour, while being cognisant that self-harm may be protective for the individual and prevent more severe self-harm or even suicide.

Existing research has started to explore the experiences of the people around children and adults diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome (AS) and High Functioning Autism (HFA). However, there are very few studies looking at the experiences of fathers, and there are less studies in relation to adults rather than children. This study aims to take an in depth look at the experiences of these fathers in order to start building our knowledge of the experiences of being the father of someone with a diagnosis of AS or HFA. Four fathers of sons and three fathers of daughters with a diagnosis of AS or HFA were interviewed using a semi-structured interview. The experiences of the fathers were explored qualitatively, using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Analysis of the transcripts brought out four superordinate themes for the seven fathers. The first theme: 'The changing role but constant responsibility of being a "Father"' described the fathers' perceptions of their roles and responsibilities towards their child as they have grown up and into the future. The second theme: 'The importance of knowledge and understanding' described the importance the fathers placed on developing their understanding of their child and the need for other people to understand them and their child. The third theme: 'The intense emotional impact' came from the fathers' descriptions of the positive and negative emotional reactions to the challenges their children and families have faced. The final theme: 'The importance of good support' includes the fathers' good and bad experiences of support services and support from family and friends. The results of the analysis are discussed in relation to the existing literature and in terms of what they mean for the clinical practice of people working with fathers of children and adults with AS or HFA. The strengths and limitations of the study are also discussed.