Displays of compassion and the impact on service user outcomes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Displays of compassion by staff on inpatient mental health wards and the relationship with service user outcomes
IRAS ID
303709
Contact name
Leanne Irwin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): ; N/A, ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT number):
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 28 days
Research summary
Compassion has been described as being sensitive to distress and being motivated to do something about it. Previous research has demonstrated the importance of compassion in healthcare workers. Studies have shown compassion is linked to feeling calm, safe and cared for and that patients who receive compassion report better outcome such as less anxiety. For various reasons, it is reported that compassion is not always present in services. However, not enough is known about the effect receiving compassion from a health care worker has on immediate levels of distress for service users. Displays of compassion may be particularly important in mental health inpatient services as when admitted service users are likely experiencing high levels of distress.
This study will look at this using the experience sampling method. The experience sampling method is a way of collecting data. Service users currently staying on a mental health unit such as an acute ward or rehabilitation ward, who are hearing voices or hold unusual beliefs will be asked to take part. We will be looking at how compassionate they feel staff have been and if this affects their levels of distress and mood. They will receive a prompt on their smart phones to complete a brief questionnaire capturing this data up to 10 times per day, over a 6 day period. We will also be looking at whether they have harmed themselves or anyone else whilst on the unit. This study will potentially show how important staff showing compassion is on mental health units. If this is the case, then this will be important in developing inpatient care that best meet the needs of service users.
This study is funded by the University of Manchester in fulfilment of the lead researcher’s doctoral thesis.
REC name
South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/SW/0045
Date of REC Opinion
7 Apr 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion