Family members of men with offending and mental health difficulties_V2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A qualitative study of the psychological impact on family members of men admitted to medium secure facilities due to offending and mental health difficulties
IRAS ID
238846
Contact name
Iliana Lilova
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 11 days
Research summary
Strengthening family ties leads to better psychological and behavioural outcomes including re-integration into society and lower recidivism rates in offenders. Governments recognise the importance of supporting families and the psychological impact imprisonment has on them. Research on families caring for people with mental health problems reports similar psychological and relational impacts. Considering the well-established association between poor mental health and offending behaviour, main carers of people with mental health problems are very likely to come into contact with the legal system. However, there are very few studies that have explored the psychological impact on families from the family member’s perspective. Therefore, a qualitative semi-structured interview study will be conducted with a purposively selected sample of 6 to 10 main caregivers of men admitted to a medium secure facility as a result of offending and related mental health problems.
Participants will be recruited from medium secure facilities at BSMHFT. One individual interview will be conducted with each participant. The interview will be guided by a semi-structured interview schedule, which will consist of 5 open ended questions covering five topics: (1) relationship with the detained relative; (2) the main caregiver’s reaction to the offence; (3) psychological impact on the main caregiver; (4) coping and support of the main caregiver; (5) future expectations of the main caregiver. In addition, participants will be asked to complete a short demographic information sheet for themselves and their family member.
All interviews will be transcribed and analysed manually using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) methods.
Increased knowledge and understanding will have implications for policy makers and stakeholders who can implement programs aiming to break the isolation, stress and stigma encountered by caregivers, people with mental health problems and offenders. In addition, programs that enhance resilience in carers could be developed, which may prevent crime and further psychological problems.
REC name
West Midlands - Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/WM/0181
Date of REC Opinion
18 Oct 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion