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  • Wellbeing health

Wellbeing, health and inequalities research

The wellbeing health and inequalities research area encompasses the study of a variety of aspects of living that affect people’s general well being, such as exercise, creative and everyday activities, occupation, lifestyles, life circumstances and environmental features.  It is multidisciplinary embracing all of the Health Sciences, with input from researchers across the University and from agencies local to the Eastbourne CHR hub, such as Age Concern, 3VA, University of the Third Age (U3A), Eastbourne Designed for All, and East Sussex Disability Association (ESDA).

There are three main research themes:

  • Occupational Science
  • Healthy Eastbourne
  • Social inequalities

Occupational Science

Occupational Science is the study of the health and well-being effects of ‘doing’ – what people do, how they do it and why people engage in their daily activities in the way that they do. Occupation in this context is defined as the range of activities engaged in by human beings – such as self-care, leisure or work. The Centre for Health Research has become a prominent centre for occupational science research in the UK, led by a Chair of Occupational Science. Current studies include the effects of different states of human of human experience including Flow, Mindfulness, Boredom, Skill and Creativity.

Research projects

Exploration of the 'flow' process

Developing the theoretical construct of ‘flow’ – including re-defining its core characteristics and evaluating the current measurements of ‘flow’

Developing the theoretical construct of Flow

Re-defining its core characteristics and evaluating the current measurements of Flow

Further explorations into the conundrum of flow process

Examining the flow experiences of seven participants.

Introducing meaningful activity onto hospital wards for the benefit of older patients

Self-forgetting as a therapeutic property of occupation

Develops the theoretical understanding of the most often cited characteristic of Flow

Exploring embroiderers stories

How embroiderers show the relationship between their craft and their health

The PARO project

Exploring the introduction of PARO to dementia care within Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Healthy Eastbourne

This area of study is collaborative with community groups, using Eastbourne as a local environment to further understanding about how living conditions can be enhanced to impact on health and well-being.

Student exercising outside

Research projects

EDA - Eastbourne designed for all

Supporting local businesses to enhance their services to people of all ages and abilities

Eastbourne local food project

Providing an ideal opportunity to work more closely with local residents to enhance understanding of their local university

Volunteering for health

Contributing millions of pounds each year into the economy through volunteer work.

Lifestyle matters

How a healthy lifestyle support needs of older people

Fit as a fiddle - the gardening together project

Gardening and older people

Activity Buddies

Improving quality of life for older people

Activity Buddies: promoting quality of life for older people together

Building on the previous Activity Buddies research project

Social inequalities

Social inequality research programme is wide-ranging, and includes a focus on social justice. We research broad policy issues, including those related to the consequences of unequal societies and matters of community connectedness and cohesion. We also care about issues at the individual level, for example some of our research examines unequal access to services.

Members of the research theme are passionate about responding to the needs and experiences of marginalised and disadvantaged groups, often researching alongside them. Methodological and political issues around the inclusion of disadvantaged people (including gypsies, parents of disabled children, young people with complex needs, etc.), in the research process, and the subsequent knowledge construction, inform the research programme. Pragmatically, the inclusive approach operates in many ways, ranging from seeking advice and guidance from service users and community members, to involving them in research design and implementation. Moreover, some of our research is concerned with university employed researchers’ self-identification as service users. Ultimately, our aim is that the research programme is constituted by work that strives to make a difference to individuals, policy and practice.

Research projects

Retain project: work related needs of employed people with mental health problems

Understanding the experience and needs of employed people with mental health problems

Our space

A collaborative research project investigating the well being of Deaf and hard of hearing people

Occupational therapy and people with learning disabilities

Occupational therapy supporting people with profound intellectual disabilities to engage in occupation at home

Research team

Chair

Professor Gaynor Sadlo

Theme Leads

Professor Gaynor Sadlo

Dr Alec Grant

Dr Josh Cameron

Members

Paul Boyle

Dr Josh Cameron

Dr Chris Cocking

Dr Alec Grant

David Haines

Lisa Hodgson

Professor Jorg Huber

Virginia Jenkins

Dr Raija Kusima

Penny Lindley

Dr Marian Martin

Professor Ann Moore

Dr Lee Price

Paula Riley

Professor Gaynor Sadlo

Helen Stanley

Dr Graham Stew

Tracey Szeckly

Heidi Von Kurthy

Tania Wiseman

Dr Jon Wright

Output

Occupational Sciences

Articles

Wright, J., Sadlo, G. and Stew, G. (2007) Further explorations into the conundrum of flow processes Journal of Occupational Science Today, 14 (3). pp. 136-144.

Brouwer D, Sadlo G (2008) Limitations in mobility: experiences of visually impaired older people. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71 (10). pp. 414-421. ISSN 0308-0226

Bedding S, Sadlo G (2008) Retired people's experience of participation in art classes. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71 (9). pp. 371-378. ISSN 0308-0226

Martin M (2009) Boredom as an important area of inquiry for occupational therapists. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 72 (1). pp. 40-42. ISSN 0308-0226

Davies R, Cameron J (2010) Self-identified occupational competencies, limitations and priorities for change in the occupational lives of people with drug misuse problems. The British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73 (6). pp. 251-260. ISSN 0308-0226

Stew, G. (2011) Mindfulness training for occupational therapy students British Journal of Occupational Therapy , 74 (6). pp. 269-276.

Wright, J,, Wright, S., Sadlo, G. and Stew, G. (2012) Exploring optimal experiences: a reversal theory perspective of flow and occupational science Journal of Occupational Science.

Wright, J., Wright, S., Sadlo, G. and Stew, G. (2012) A reversal theory exploration of flow process and the flow channel Journal of Occupational Science.

Martin M, Doswell S (2012) Mindfulness and older people: a small study. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75 (1). pp. 36-41. ISSN 0308-0226

Martin, M., Sadlo, G. and Stew, G. (2012) Rethinking occupational deprivation and boredom Journal of Occupational Science, 19 (1). pp. 56-61. ISSN 1442-7591

Conference Papers/poster presentation

Sadlo G, (2008) Skilled Hand Use and Positive emotions. College of Occupational Therapists Annual Conference, Harrogate, June 2008. Invited keynote address.

Cameron J (2009) Putting occupation back on the older person’s agenda, Sussex Partnership Trust Occupational Therapy for Older People Conference, Sussex Education Centre, Millview Hospital, Brighton, UK, February 2009.

Sadlo G (2009) The Human Brain: Designed for Occupation. Invited professorial lecture. University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, May 2009.

Sadlo G (2009) Redefining wellbeing in relation to occupation. College of Occupational Therapists Annual Conference, Brighton Centre, June 2009.

Sadlo G (2009) Creativity: an occupational science perspective. Invited Lecture Presentation to Regional Conference of Occupational Therapists, Alborg Denmark, June 2009.

Martin M, Doswell S (2010) Boredom and Mindfulness College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section - Mental Health Annual Conference, Birmingham. April 2010 (workshop)

Martin M (2010) Wealth and Wellbeing or Health and Wellbeing? Qualitative Methods in Psychology

Section (QMiP) Conference, University of Nottingham, August 2010

Martin, M (2010) Rethinking Occupational Deprivation and Boredom. Canadian Society for Occupational

Science and the Canadian Society of Occupational Scientists, London, Ontario, Canada, October 2010.

Sadlo G (2010)Creative Hands, Flow, and Mindfulness. The Concept of Flow: Towards a Scientific Integration. International Flow Conference,Braunschweig, Germany, June 2010

Hunter V, Sadlo G (2011) A Paradox of occupation: high skill can induce a relaxation effect. College of Occupational Therapists Annual Conference Brighton, June 2011

Sadlo G (2011) Sustaining Occupation: Culture and Governance in the Face of Global Environmental Change: Mindful occupation, one key to sustainable living. Society for the Study of Occupation USA. Utah, November 2011.

Sadlo G (2011) Occupational Science in the service of Occupational Therapy Keynote speaker to Occupational Therapy National Conference, Paris, France, 25th November 2011.

Boyle P (2012) Community occupational therapists’ views on safety at home for children with autism, College of Occupational Therapists annual conference, 13th June 2012, Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow, Scotland

Martin M, Stew G (2012)Personal experiences of Flow and Mindfulness. British Association of Occupational Therapists Annual Conference, Glasgow, June 2012.

Grant R, Martin M (2012) The experience of boredom during leisure activity. British Association of Occupational Therapists Annual Conference, Glasgow, June 2012, (paper presentation).

Reports/occasional papers/Resources

Martin M (2009) Book Review. Living Well with Pain and Illness. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 72 (10), 449

Martin M (2010) Book Review: Mindfulness- an acceptance-based behavioural therapies in practice. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 38 (1), 133-135.

Martin M (2011) Report for COT-SS Mental Health Institute of Social Psychiatry Award 2008, Mental Health Occupational Therapy, 16 (1) 26. ISSN 1363-4682

Stew G (2011) Mindfulness Training for Occupational Therapy Students. British Journal of Occupational Therapy 74(6), 269-276. ISSN: 0308-0226.

Healthy Eastbourne

Articles

York M, Wiseman T (2012) Gardening as an occupation: a critical review. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75 (2). ISSN 0308-0226

Conference papers and poster presentations

Sadlo G, Whitakker, B & Wiseman T (2010) Occupations for Sustainable Living. College of Occupational Therapists Annual Conference, Brighton Centre, June 2010.

Wiseman T (2010) Gardening together: community gardening in shared housing. Age concern fit as a fiddle regional networking event, Eastbourne, February 2010.

Buckle L, Wiseman T (2010)Keeping well around the campfire: Older men’s’ experience of volunteering in the scouts movement. College of occupational therapists annual conference, June 2010.

Newton K, Wiseman T (2010) Gardening together: the experience of starting a community food growing group, Aesop Annual conference, October 2010.

Wiseman T, Quah E(2010)The experience of playing cello. College of occupational therapists annual conference, June 2010.

Sadlo G, Thomas-Hancock E (2011) @ctive Student”: a university scheme to support student volunteering. ENOTHE Annual conference Ghent, November 2011.

Kilpatrick T, Wiseman T (2011) The experience of volunteering in a community gardening project. College of occupational therapists annual conference, June 2011.

York M, Wiseman T, Thomas L (2011) The experience of community gardening, a meta ethnography. College of occupational therapists annual conference, June 2011.

Cook L, Wiseman T, Morris J (2011) Social Inclusion – how students experience learning relevant skills on practice placement. College of occupational therapists annual conference, June 2011.

Sadlo G (2012) The health effects of volunteering. Public Lecture, Eastbourne Town Hall, East Sussex, England, October 2012.

Dixon A, Wiseman T (2012) The natural environment: Working therapeutically within the context of a market garden social enterprise. College of Occupational Therapists Annual Conference, SECC Glasgow, Scotland, June 2012

Edwards L, Wiseman T (2012) Gardens: opportunities and threats from an occupational perspective. College of Occupational Therapists Annual Conference, SECC Glasgow, Scotland, June 2012. Poster presentation

O’Meara E, Wiseman T (2012) Garden design and planning in sheltered housing accommodation for older people. College of Occupational Therapists Annual Conference. SECC Glasgow, Scotland, June 2012. Poster presentation.

Wiseman T (2012) Constraints and incentives in community gardening: A systematic review of the literature. Doctoral conference, School of Environment and technology paper presentation, June 2012, Brighton, England.

Reports/Occasional Papers/recourse

Moore AP, Hodgson L (2008) Activity Buddies: Improving quality of life for older people University of Brighton.

Hodgson L Burns P, Kuisma R, Ellis-Martin M, Moore AP (2009) Activity Buddies: Quality of Life for Older People. University of Brighton

Social Inequalities

Articles

Cameron J, Walker C, Hart A, Sadlo G, Haslam I and The Retain Support Group, (2012) Supporting workers with mental health problems to retain employment: users’ experiences of a UK job retention project. Work, 42 (4). pp. 1-12. ISSN 1051-9815

Price L (2010) Researching with older gay men to get their voice heard. Generations Review 20 (1) www.britishgerontology.org/DB/gr-editions-2/generations-review/researching-with-older-gay-men-to-get-their-voice-.html

Conference presentation and poster presentations

Cameron J (2008) beyond the carrot and the stick, work related needs of mental health service users. School of Nursing and Midwifery 9th Annual Mental Health Conference, University of Brighton, UK, March 2008. Workshop presentation.

Cameron J, King R, Calkin J (2008). More than symptoms and self care – needs in acute mental health recovery.College of Occupational Therapists, 32nd Annual Conference, Harrogate, UK, June 2008. Paper Presentation

Cameron J (2008)Vocational Research – the story so far, Sussex Partnership Trust Occupational Therapy Conference, University of Sussex, UK, October 2008.

Cameron J (2009) Job retention for people with mental health problems – emerging results of research into user experiences of a voluntary sector job retention projectSouthern Universities Alliance for Doctoral Education - Professional Doctorate Conference, University of Brighton, UK, April 2009. Paper presentation

Haines D (2009) Occupational therapy with people with learning disabilities: Launch of COTSS-PLD Research Project. Occupational Therapists Specialist Section – People with Learning Disabilities Conference, 24th June 2009, Brighton”. Keynote presentation.

Price (2010) Oral presentation. Consulting with older gay men to identify their health and social care needs. Making Research Count Programme SSPARC, University of Brighton.

Price (2010) Poster presentation. Topics for health and social care research identified by older gay men: A research development project. British Society of Gerontology Annual Conference University of Brunel.

Cameron J, Hart A, Sadlo G (2011) Work matters for mental health recovery: supporting job retention of employees with mental health problems, 15th World Congress of Psychiatry, Buenos Aires, Argentina, September 2011, Poster Presentation.

Cameron J, Hart A, Sadlo G (2011) Iatrogenic effects of sick leave. The experiences of employees recovering from mental health problems in a United Kingdom research study, 15th World Congress of Psychiatry, Buenos Aires, Argentina, September 2011, Poster Presentation.

Book chapters and booklets

Walker C, Fincham B, Cameron J (2011) Techniques of identity governance and resistance. In C Walker and B Fincham Work and the mental health crisis in Britain.Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, pp 65-95.

Reports/Occasional Papers/ recourses

Cameron J, Walker C, Haslam I (2009) Working Well: how the Retain project has supported workers in Brighton with mental health problems. Research collaboration between the University of Brighton, the Retain employment and mental health retention programme and Retain service users in Brighton

Lillywhite A, Haines D (2010) Occupational therapy and people with learning disabilities. College of Occupational Therapists. ISBN 978-1-905944-21-7.

Sources/links

Age concern

Age UK

Community University Partnership Programme (CUPP)

East Sussex County Council

East Sussex Disability Association

East Sussex Health Authority

Lewes and Eastbourne Councils

Eastbourne Designed for All

Eastbourne Homes

Eastbourne Rainbows

Queen Alexandra Cottage Homes

Hastings and Rother Primary Care Trust

University of Sussex

University of the Third Age (U3A)

RVS

3VA

Collaborations

Age Concern Eastbourne

East Sussex County Council

Eastbourne Borough Council

Eastbourne Designed for All

Eastbourne Homes

Eastbourne Rainbows

University of the Third Age (U3A)

3VA

Funding

Brighton and Sussex Community Knowledge Exchange (BSCKE)

Community University Partnership Programme (CUPP)

Institute of social Psychiatry

South East Coastal Communities (SECC) – Higher Educations Funding Council for England (HEFCE)

Awards, recognition, impact

Academic partner in SECC HEFCE “Our Space” project (Cameron J)

Associate Member of British Psychological Society (Wright J)

Award – Faculty Health and Social Care Post-doctoral Fellowship (Price L)

Award- Research and Innovation Awards 2009 – Staff award for student involvement in research - Activity Buddies project (Moore A, Burns P, Kuisma R, Hodgson L and Ellis-Martin M)

College of Occupational Therapists Special Interest Group in Work, Practice and Productivity (Cameron J)

Awards- Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine (Wright J)

Committee Member- Committee of Occupational Therapists Educational Directors (UK) (Sadlo S)

External committee member- Research, Education and Development Group Officer for National Executive Committee of College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section- People with Learning Disabilities (COTSS-PLD) (Haines D)

Fellowship of the College of Occupational Therapist (Sadlo S)

Founder Member, Occupational UK and Ireland (Sadlo S)

Grant Reviewer- Strategic Promotion of Ageing Research Capacity (SPARC) (Kuisma R)

Grant Reviewer- ESRC peer review (Sadlo S)

Grant Reviewer – UK Research Foundation, College of Occupational Therapists (Sadlo S)

International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disability (IASSID) (Haines D)

Invited Delphi Panel Member, to develop a standard terminology for occupational therapy in the United Kingdom (Wright J)

Journal referring- British Journal of Occupational Therapy (Martin M, Wiseman T)

Reviewer of abstracts for College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section- People with Learning Disabilities Annual Conference (Haines D)

Senior Researchers Group, Community University Partnership Programme, University of Brighton (Sadlo S)

Member- European Network of Occupational Therapy in Higher Education (Price L, Sadlo S)

Member- World Federation of Occupational Therapist (WFOT) (Saldo S)

Member external QA research review board University College Cork (2009-2010) (Sadlo S)

Member external research review board Lund University Sweeden (2009) (Sadlo S)

Member Eastbourne Access Group, Supporting improving access to the physical built environment (Sadlo S)

Members Occupational Science Europe Research Group (School of Health Sciences – Sadlo S representative)

Members of European Flow Network (Wright J, Sadlo S)

Visiting lecturer University of Southern California Los Angeles USA (Sadlo S)

Visiting Professor of Occupational Sciences, Charles University, Prague Czech Republic (Sadlo S)

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