Exploring Reassurance- and Emotional Support- Seeking
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring Reassurance- and Emotional Support-Seeking Profiles and Impact on Treatment Outcomes in Adults with Common Mental Health Difficulties
IRAS ID
340644
Contact name
Chiara Causier
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2024/08/126 health research, Data Protection Number
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 9 months, 1 days
Research summary
Excessive reassurance seeking (ERS) has been shown to be present in the maintenance of a number of mental health conditions (Halldorsson & Salkovskis, 2023). How it presents across different mental health presentations, influences treatment outcomes, and may best be mitigated, however, is poorly understood. Using quantitative methodology, this study will examine reassurance-seeking and levels of emotional support, and how these might predict treatment outcomes, in a group of NHS patients presenting with common mental health difficulties. A longitudinal, online survey design will be implemented. We will aim to recruit 366 participants from the iCope service in London. Participants entering treatment who have consented to research will be contacted by the research team with a link to a survey. This survey will ask participants about their reassurance-seeking behaviours, emotional support behaviours, and OCD symptoms. Data will be pseudonymised prior to analysis and merged by data processors with the standard IAPT dataset which is routinely collected. This combined dataset will only be accessible by members of the research team. Data will be aggregated prior to any dissemination outside of the research team (e.g., publication in peer-reviewed journal, presentation at conferences, etc). The results of this study will provide greater understanding of the presentation and impact of ERS in common mental health difficulties, which will have crucial implications for targeted training initiatives in the assessment and treatment of this.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/YH/0274
Date of REC Opinion
7 Feb 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion