Experiences of sleep in people with psychosis, attitude to treatment
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Experiences and attitudes about sleep disturbance, its measurement, and treatment, in people with psychotic illnesses: an exploratory interview study
IRAS ID
168450
Contact name
Sophie Faulkner
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 13 days
Research summary
Experiences and attitudes about sleep disturbance, its measurement, and treatment, in people with psychotic illnesses: an exploratory interview study
Sleep problems cause significant impairment and suffering in the general population, and in people with psychotic illnesses. However whilst there is research on the experience of poor sleep in the general population, this is limited in people with psychotic illnesses. Sleep disturbance is much more common in people with psychotic illnesses, but is not perhaps given the same attention within this population, and can be accepted as inevitable, or not prioritised amongst other concerns.
This study aims to increase understanding of the experience of sleep disturbance in people with psychotic illnesses, by exploring their views about sleep, and its assessment and treatment. This understanding will support the development of better treatments in future.
People who are open to secondary care mental health services, and have a psychotic illnesses (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizotypal, or delusional disorder), and who report some degree of sleep disturbance will be recruited. The study aims to focus on problems with getting to sleep, staying asleep, and with the timing of sleep. People with other physical problems with their sleep will be excluded (including sleep disordered breathing) as these cause different and separate issues.
Participants will be interviewed and complete a brief self-report measure regarding their sleep, at their own home or a location of their choosing, this will take approximately 1.5hr. This will be audio recorded and transcribed for analysis.
The data will be analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis (a form of qualitative data analysis which looks closely at the nature of individual experience), and the analysis of the person’s experiences, wishes, and beliefs about their sleep will be used to better explain and understand the attitudes and beliefs they express regarding potential treatments.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
14/NS/1085
Date of REC Opinion
8 Dec 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion