Exploring experiences and responses of siblings in familial OCD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the experiences and responses of siblings living with a brother or sister with OCD.
IRAS ID
252337
Contact name
Stuart Brownings
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Surrey
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 30 days
Research summary
Previous research within OCD has focused on the experiences of parents or partners of both child and adult OCD sufferers. This literature has highlighted a significant impact on parents' and partners' wellbeing and mental health. It has outlined how a high percentage of family members will change family routines, participate in behavioural rituals and avoid situations in order to reduce the anxiety for their family member or partner. This has led to parents and partners being included in front line Cognitive Behavioural Treatment for OCD in order to provide education around adaptive responses to OCD symptoms and reduce this symptom 'accommodation'. The qualitative research aims to explore sibling’s experiences of and responses to OCD symptoms within a co-habiting brother or sister.
The brother or sister with OCD will be receiving treatment at the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and related disorders Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) at the Michael Rutter Centre, which will be the recruiting site.
English speaking sibling participants, aged 12 and over, will be interviewed by the Chief Investigator of this project for up to an hour, either face to face or via telephone, using an interview schedule. Questions will focus on the sibling's experiences of having a brother or sister with OCD as well as how they may respond to their OCD symptoms. The brother or sister with OCD will be asked to consent to their diagnostic information, as well as their age and ethnicity, held at the Michael Rutter centre, being accessed by researchers. Parental consent will be sought for any participant under the age of 16.
This qualitative research hopes to gain an insight into sibling experiences of, and responses to, familial OCD, which has a potential impact on the delivery of OCD treatment with families in the future.REC name
London - London Bridge Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/0645
Date of REC Opinion
12 Aug 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion