Complex Emotions Hub Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Complex Emotions Hub: A prospective, multi-stage, mixed methods study
IRAS ID
353789
Contact name
Scott Weich
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Health & Social Care NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 8 months, 31 days
Research summary
The Complex Emotions Hub is a five-year study that includes follow-up of a sample of people over time. The aim is to improve support and care for people who experience strong and difficult emotions—sometimes linked to diagnoses such as Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD), or Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD). These terms can be stigmatising and e have agreed to use the umbrella term 'complex emotions' through out our project.
We plan to involve up to 300 people from different backgrounds who say they struggle with complex emotions, whether or not they have a formal diagnosis. By working with participants over several years, we will explore how emotions, relationships, and behaviours affect one another, and how things like culture, community, and life experiences play a part. What we learn will help improve support for both individuals and the professionals who work with them.
People who want to take part will first complete an online screening form. If they meet the criteria, they will be invited to a first (baseline) interview, either in person or by video call. They will also be asked to complete short surveys regularly throughout the study, up to the end of 2028.
Some people will also be invited to take part in one or both of the following sub-studies: (a) In-depth interviews to explore how emotions, relationships, and past care experiences have shaped their lives. (b) A digital study using smartphones or wearable devices to track emotions in real time over short periods.
Later in the study, we will invite some participants to help design and test new tools, training, or services for professionals based on the study findings.
This ethics application covers recruitment to the main study, the first interviews, repeat surveys, and the in-depth interviews (a). Other sub-studies will be submitted for ethics approval separately.
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/EM/0128
Date of REC Opinion
4 Jul 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion