Experiences of engaging with mental health services in 16-18 year olds
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Experiences of engaging with mental health services in 16-18 year olds: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
IRAS ID
164870
Contact name
Siobhan Jones
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 26 days
Research summary
This study is looking into the experiences of 16-18 year olds engaging in mental health services. A systematic literature search revealed there is a lack of research exploring young people’s specific experiences of engagement with mental health services, especially older adolescence. 16-18 years is a time of potential transition from child to adult mental health services. It is well documented that this transition can be difficult (e.g. Singh et al, 2008), so understanding the factors that aid engagement for this age group may encourage the young person to attend services. In order to ensure that services are responsive to the population it is serving, it is essential to understand the unique needs and views of that client group. If we collect service-user views, services can be more responsive to need, be tailored effectively and positive impact on clinical outcomes. Conducting research into and investigating 16-18 year olds engagement will contribute to a lacking evidence-base into adolescent engagement with mental health services. I plan to recruit up to ten 16-18 year olds from Lewisham NHS CAHMS, Southwark NHS CAHMS and Grow2Grow - a social enterprise mental health service for young people in Chiddingstone, Kent. The study will be advertised at these services and participants will self-select to take part. Each participant will be interviewed 1:1 for approximately an hour about what their experiences were of engaging in services. Example questions are attached. The interviews will be analysed qualitatively using an IPA method (Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis), which looks specifically at an individual's experience through drawing out and collating themes from interviews. The research is being funded by Canterbury Christ Church University as part of a Clinical Psychology doctorate.
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/EM/1227
Date of REC Opinion
1 Dec 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion