Lived experiences of relationships in adults with Complex-PTSD v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding the Lived Experience of Close and Sustained Relationships for Adults Presenting with Complex-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
IRAS ID
365601
Contact name
Hannah Lamplough
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 21 days
Research summary
Research Question:
What is the lived experience of close and sustained relationships for adults presenting with Complex-PTSD?Background & Relevance
Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (Complex-PTSD) was first added to a diagnostic classification system in the ICD-11 (World Health Organisation, 2021). It typically presents following experience of trauma that is repeated, long-lasting and often interpersonal in nature. One of the diagnostic criteria is “difficulties in sustaining relationships and feeling close to others”, and quantitative research has supported the presence of these types of difficulties in this population. Although useful, this tells us little about lived experiences of Complex-PTSD and what it feels like to have relationships with others following experiences of complex trauma.Aims & Rationale:
This qualitative research aims to explore the personal, lived experiences of close and sustained relationships in people presenting with Complex-PTSD. This will help clinicians and the public to better understand what it is like to live with the long-term impacts of complex trauma, which could help improve the care and support offered to this group. The study could also help clinicians to understand key themes that might be helpful to address in therapy, what feels most important in relationships for this group, helpful and unhelpful patterns that can occur in relationships, strategies people might use to navigate relationships, and things to be mindful of in therapeutic relationships.Design:
The research aim will be addressed by interviewing six to eight participants currently receiving care from a specialist Complex-PTSD service. Interviews will be offered face-to-face or online, depending on participants’ preference, and will last up to 90 minutes depending on how much they share. The interviews will be analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, a methodology which places a strong focus on deeply understanding a person’s experience and the sense they have made of it.REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/NW/0161
Date of REC Opinion
11 Jun 2026
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion