Childhood Bullying in a First Episode Psychosis Population - Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Childhood Bullying: Perceptions of individuals who access services for First Episode Psychosis (FEP)
IRAS ID
229173
Contact name
Claire Wheeler
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Essex
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 10 months, 1 days
Research summary
Recent research has found a relationship between bullying and the experience of psychotic symptoms(e.g. hallucinations, hearing voices, paranoia, delusions). However, most of these findings were in the general population using quantitative data (data expressed by numbers e.g. scores on self-report questionnaires). The wider context of how schools, peers and family members may have played a part in the experience has also been ignored. Of the few clinical studies that exist, participants have been adults and as there was a long period of time since they experienced bullying, conclusions were limited. Therefore there is a need for research in a younger clinical sample where bullying experiences are more recent.
This study therefore aims to explore the experiences of childhood bullying in individuals in the first-episode period of psychosis. It aims to give them an opportunity to talk in detail about their experiences, how others responded and how they have made sense of the experience.
This study will recruit 8-12 participants (aged 14-65) accessing services for a First Episode of Psychosis. Participants will be interviewed once on assigned Trust premises of specialist psychosis teams. Interviews will last 45-60 minutes and will be designed in consultation with service users.Interviews will be recorded and transcribed by the Chief Investigator. Results will be analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), a methodology considered most appropriate for the research questions.
This is a Thesis study, completed as part of my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. It will be completed over a year and 10 months.
If bullying is considered relevant to experiences of psychosis, the research may inform service provision and highlight the need for staff to explore it more routinely with their patients. It will also be relevant for schools and families to be able to consider how they may play a part in the process.
REC name
East of England - Essex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/EE/0436
Date of REC Opinion
8 Nov 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion