ASPIRE: Work Package 2
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 adversities (Work Package 2)
IRAS ID
305781
Contact name
Brioney Gee
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 1 days
Research summary
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are stressful or upsetting life 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 ACEs are more likely to develop mental health problems than children who have not experienced these stressful events. However, some children who have experienced 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 ACEs. Since one of the most powerful sources of resilience for children is having a positive relationship with at least one adult caregiver, we are developing a support package to help caregivers (e.g. parents, family carers or foster carers) to use positive psychology in their child’s day-to-day life.
The project is being overseen by a Stakeholder Research Team made up of young people, caregivers and professionals. The project has two stages. In Stage 1 of the project (now complete), we looked at the elements of existing positive psychology programmes and asked children, caregivers and professionals what they would want from a support package. We used this information to create the initial design for the new support package. [add brief overview] In Stage 2, we would like to invite families to try out the 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/0176
Date of REC Opinion
19 Jan 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion