Exploring individuals' experiences of co-production in EMBRACE v.1.0.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the impact of co-production for individuals with emotional intensity difficulties: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
IRAS ID
250440
Contact name
Amelia Davies
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford / Clinical Trials and Research Governance
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 27 days
Research summary
This study will explore the experience of co-production for individuals with emotional intensity difficulties. These difficulties are associated with a rapid change of emotions and a tendency for emotion to overwhelm coping, capacity and reasoning. Emotional intensity has been found to be a component of Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD) criteria. People with this diagnosis are at increased risk of self-harm and suicide.
Risk factors for suicide include perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness (Joiner, 2005). These factors can arguably be countered by adopting principles of co-production. Co-production has been defined as ‘a relationship where professionals and citizens share power to plan and deliver support together, recognising that both partners have vital contributions to make in order to improve quality of life for people and communities’ (Slay & Stephens, 2013).The Assertive Intervention Stabilisation Team in Slough, Berkshire, aims to help individuals with traits of EUPD to access a therapeutic pathway rather than a ‘revolving door’ of repeated psychiatric inpatient admissions. As part of this service, EMBRACE group was co-produced by staff and service users. EMBRACE is a supportive, therapeutic and educational group. It is divided into three parts: a supportive check-in, a shared lunch and a community meeting, during which parts of the service are refined and co-produced.Both staff and service users are considered to be group members. ASSiST service users are initially invited to attend the group for 2 years. After 2 years, service users are discharged from ASSiST. Following being discharged from the service, previous service users are invited to train to become volunteer peer mentors and to continue attending EMBRACE as ‘graduate group members’.
The evidence base for co-production approaches in mental health services is limited. To the researcher’s knowledge, investigation of the experience of co-production in services for people with emotional intensity difficulties has not been published.
Approximately 10 - 12 interviews with EMBRACE group members will be carried out at the NHS service base in Slough. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) will be used to analyse the data. It is anticipated the findings will inform the development of co-production approaches for this population.REC name
East of England - Essex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/EE/0377
Date of REC Opinion
14 Nov 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion