Exploring family dynamics where one member has psychological distress.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring family experiences, roles and relationship dynamics where one member has psychological distress.
IRAS ID
165219
Contact name
Charlotte Marriott
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
When one person experiences severe mental illness, it frequently affects the whole family. The individual is often unable to fulfil roles expected of them, such as working and functioning independently and as mental health services are increasingly provided in the community rather than in hospitals, families are more closely involved in supporting their loved one in their day-to-day living. The existing literature base has investigated carer burden and coping strategies and national health guidance recommends the provision of structured support for families. However little is known about how family relationships change and are affected by this disruption. This research aims to explore how family relationships and roles evolve as one member experiences severe mental health difficulties.
Data collection will occur in two concurrent stages:Study 1 a) A whole-family approach where it is hoped that no fewer than three members of the same family will participate. Approximately three families will be interviewed, totalling around nine participants. Participants will be interviewed individually.
b) Additionally, a further three to five individuals will be recruited to participate in a focus group discussion of the themes which were derived from individual interviews as part of a credibility checking exercise.Study 2 Aims to recruit up to 10 individual participants to be interviewed individually, without other family members participating in the study.
Semi-structured interviews will be used to interview participants to investigate this issue from multiple perspectives, including the perspective of the individual with mental health difficulties if possible. Questions will be regarding family relationships and participants encouraged to discuss their perspective in depth. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) will be used to analyse data and create an understanding of the participants’ experiences of their relationships. An improved understanding of this aspect of the impact of mental illness may serve to influence service development and provision.
REC name
West Midlands - Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/WM/0014
Date of REC Opinion
4 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion