Experiences of detention under the MHA through the lens of the PTMF V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring experiences of detention under the Mental Health Act through the lens of the Power Threat Meaning Framework - A narrative analysis.
IRAS ID
364132
Contact name
Ana Da Silva Salgueiro
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Canterbury Christ Church University, Salomons Institute for Applied Psychology
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 20 days
Research summary
The Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF) offers an alternative way of understanding mental health distress compared to traditional medical models. Instead of viewing mental health difficulties as biologically driven illnesses, the framework emphasises how contextual experiences of trauma, powerlessness and inequality account for human distress and suggests that ‘symptoms’ are adaptable responses to adversities faced. The PTMF poses four core questions: How has power operated in someone’s life? What kinds of threats did this pose? What sense was made of what happened? and What did people have to do to survive?
So far, this framework has supported teams to work in more trauma-informed and compassionate ways and better understand the reasons for distress and challenging behaviour. Its use in team formulations within inpatient services has also been linked to fewer seclusions and restraints.
This study proposes that the PTMF may also be applicable to understanding experiences of detention under the Mental Health Act, as these can tap into key ideas from the framework - powerlessness, restriction and marginalisation. Being detained means a person can be held and treated in hospital against their will when their difficulties are deemed to require compulsory care. The significant increase in detentions in the last 30 years make it particularly important to understand the contemporary experiences of being ‘sectioned’.This study will therefore explore experiences of detention and examine how themes of power, threat, meaning, and survival appear in people’s stories. In doing this, the study hopes to inform future practice in inpatient pathways and understand whether the PTMF can help us make sense of detention experiences/behaviours in holistic and contextual ways. Leaflets advertising the study will be distributed across 4 NHS trusts and social media. Adults who have experienced detention in the last 10 years and are interested, will be invited for an interview.
REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 1
REC reference
26/ES/0013
Date of REC Opinion
17 Apr 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion