Autism Diagnosis in Adulthood After Mental Health: An IPA (Version 1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Experience of Being Diagnosed with Autism in Adulthood After a History of Mental Health Diagnoses; An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis
IRAS ID
348366
Contact name
Christopher Saville
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
School of Psychology and Sports Science, Bangor University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 25 days
Research summary
Autistic people have many strengths but can also experience a range of challenges. Previous research has explored the experience of being diagnosed with autism in adulthood and autistic people’s experiences of mental distress, and of receiving support from services for their mental health.
The current study is being undertaken to explore how being diagnosed with autism in adulthood affects how people understand their previous experiences of mental distress. This will improve understanding of autism, identity and mental health.
The study will use interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) a qualitative research methodology which is concerned with how people make sense of their experiences. There are no direct risks or benefits of the study. We hope participants will find it to be helpful and validating to speak about their experiences with the researcher, though we acknowledge this may be upsetting for some participants.
The study is being undertaken as part of a Clinical Psychology Doctorate and is being sponsored by Bangor University. The study will be conducted in collaboration with the North Wales Integrated Autism Service (IAS). The study will last from November 2024 to September 2025. The study will recruit between 6 and 12 participants, who will be eligible to participate if they are over 18, received a diagnosis of autism form the IAS in the last three years, experienced previous mental distress, are happy to speak about their experiences and have capacity to consent to take part. Participants will be asked to complete a consent form and demographics form, have a screening contact meeting (lasting 15 minutes) with the researcher and meet for a semi-structured interview (lasting between 30 and 90 minutes) with the researcher.
REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/SC/0394
Date of REC Opinion
2 Jan 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion