Experiences of peer relationships in inpatient CAMHS; version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A qualitative study exploring adolescents lived experiences of peer relationships in an inpatient Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
IRAS ID
229179
Contact name
Lucy Dalzell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Essex
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 24 days
Research summary
Evidence has demonstrated that individuals are most susceptible to the influence of their peers during adolescence and that peer relationships can be both helpful and detrimental to the wellbeing and recovery of individuals with mental health difficulties. There is a paucity of literature examining adolescent’s lived experiences of peer relationships within inpatient CAMHS settings. As such relationships likely serve to impact upon recovery, wellbeing, and service outcomes; this should be explored.
The current study aims to explore adolescent inpatient's lived experiences of peer relationships. It aims to give the patients an opportunity to talk in detail about their experiences of peer relationships, their observations of positive and negative peer relationships on the unit and how they have made sense of their experiences and how these relationships have impacted on them.
The research will be conducted at the St. Aubyn Centre, an Adolescent Mental Health Unit in Colchester. Patients who are currently admitted to the unit, aged between 13-18 years old and who meet inclusion criteria will be eligible to participate. Parental consent will be obtained for those who are under the age of 16.
Participants will be interviewed on one occasion using individual interviews. The interview schedule has been designed in consultation with research supervisors and service users. It is estimated that the interviews will last 30-60 minutes. The interviews will be transcribed by the Chief Investigator and the results will be analysed using thematic analysis, a methodology which is considered to be most appropriate for the research questions.
The research may generate discussions around the management of peer relationships within adolescent inpatient settings. It may further the service staff’s understanding of the adolescents’ peer relationships on the unit from the patients’ perspective and the possible impact this might have upon their wellbeing and service outcomes.
This is a thesis study, which will be submitted to the University of Essex as part of a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2019.
REC name
London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/0294
Date of REC Opinion
9 Mar 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion