ASPIRE: Work Package 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Adult-caregiver Supported Positive psychology intervention to Increase Resilience (ASPIRE): developing and refining a caregiver-delivered positive psychology intervention to increase the resilience of children who have experienced multiple adversities (Work package 1)
IRAS ID
290438
Contact name
Brioney Gee
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 30 days
Research summary
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are stressful or upsetting events that increase the risk of later health problems. They include things like being neglected or abused, family break-up, the death of a loved-one, being bullied, or having a serious illness. Children who have experienced several ACEs are much more likely to develop mental health problems than children who have not experienced these stressful events. However, some children who have experienced several ACEs have social support and personal strengths that allow them to remain healthy despite very difficult experiences. This is known as ‘resilience’.
Positive psychology is about understanding what helps people to thrive, and support based on positive psychology has been shown to increase resilience. This project aims to create a positive psychology support package to increase the resilience of children who have experienced multiple ACEs. Since one of the most powerful sources of resilience for children is having a positive relationship with at least one adult caregiver, we plan to develop a support package that helps caregivers (e.g. parents, family carers or foster carers) to use positive psychology in their child’s day-to-day life.
The project will be led by a Stakeholder Research Team made up of young people, caregivers and health and social care professionals. The project will have two stages. In Stage 1, we will look at the elements of existing positive psychology programmes and ask children, caregivers and professionals what they would want from a support package. The Stakeholder Research Team will use this information to create the initial design for the new support package. In Stage 2, families will be invited to try out this new support package. We will collect information about whether families like the support offered, whether it is practical to deliver, and check there are no potential safety concerns.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/SW/0011
Date of REC Opinion
5 Mar 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion