Lived experience of males in medium secure hospitals
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An exploration of the lived experiences of males detained in medium secure hospitals in Scotland.
IRAS ID
334491
Contact name
Laura Steele
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 23 days
Research summary
Summary of Research
This research primarily aims to explore the lived experiences of men detained in medium secure hospitals in Scotland, using a qualitative approach. Previous research has indicated that further qualitative exploration of internalised stigma amongst forensic mental health populations is warranted, in order to gain a greater understanding of the manifestation of this construct within this unique and complex population. A secondary objective of the research is, therefore, to explore the lived experiences of how others see them. Greater insight into the lived experience of internalised stigma in an Forensic Mental Health (FMH) population could be important in gaining more understanding of risk and recidivism and could be critically important in understanding patients' functioning in a broader context, not just in their journey through the forensic estate but on return to the community.
A qualitative, exploratory method will be adopted to explore the lived experience of men detained in a medium secure unit. The study will employ Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to analyse interview data derived from 1:1 interviews following a semi-structured interview schedule. Purposive sampling will be utilised to recruit an intended 10 males meeting criteria across the three medium secure hospitals in Scotland: The Orchard Clinic, Rowanbank Clinic and Rohallion Clinic. Participants will be identified by clinicians primarily responsible for their care and treatment within hospital, namely their Responsible Medical Officer (RMO). Patients who meet inclusion criteria will be asked to engage in an approximately 60-minute long interview within a private space at the participating hospital. Questions are focused on their lived experiences within hospital.
Summary of Results
People with mental illness, who have or could commit an offence, are cared for within settings including hospitals, prisons and in the community. These people often face a “dual stigma”, meaning that the public often view them negatively because 1) they have a mental illness and 2) they have or could commit a crime. This study calls this group of people “offenders with mental illness” or “OMI”. This study spoke to seven men living in a medium secure hospital and asked them about their lives. They were asked to talk about how they thought and felt about themselves, and how they thought other people might think and feel about them. This study used interpretative phenomenological analysis, which is a qualitative method of research that helps us to understand people’s experiences. Two main themes were found to be important to the men that were interviewed: (i) “Disempowered: living within constraint and restriction” and (ii) “A new identity”. Each theme was further comprised of two subthemes, namely: (i) “Being stuck: internally and externally stagnant” and “Being at the mercy of the system”; and (ii) “Disconnected from oneself and others” and “To be seen by others, is to see oneself”. The men interviewed spoke about feeling stuck and powerless in hospital, where professionals made decisions for them. They spoke about feeling like they were different to others around them and how they felt disconnected with their previous actions and experiences. Over time, most of the men began to connect with others and felt like they reconnected with themselves. Findings were discussed in the context of previous research, and considered what the findings might mean for future research and practice.REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 1
REC reference
24/ES/0023
Date of REC Opinion
10 Apr 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion