Narrative explorations of families stories of a young persons MUS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A narrative exploration of how families construct stories around the nature and development of a young person’s Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS), noticing patterns of family solidarity or divergence, through conversation and activity.
IRAS ID
199534
Contact name
Zenovia Christoforou
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Plymouth University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 22 days
Research summary
When a family member experiences Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS) there is often a dramatic effect on all family members, as there is confusion around aetiology, and lives have to adapt to accommodate the difficulties of the young person. This may affect activities that siblings are able to engage in and parental resources such as ability to attend work, requirements of medical appointments, and supporting school attendance. Therefore, this study aims to explore how families are able to 'story' and negotiate these challenges in order to identify how clinicians might best support the psychological and practical needs of these families.
The research uses a multiple case study design, using three families. The family includes the young person aged between 12 and 19 years, who has been through therapy at a local Paediatric service around their experiences of MUS and at least one other family member. The proposed research will ask the family to tell their stories together with completing a family tree and an activity highlighting the closeness of family members. Families will also be asked to attend the second ‘co-construction’ interview, whereby they will support the research in validating the results of analysis. All elements of both interviews will be analysed through narrative analysis. Whilst the completed products of the activities will provide information, the analysis will consider conversations during the activities, how they worked together, agreeing or differing, and how they negotiated the story told.
Potential participants will be given the option of conducting research interviews at the hospital, their home or the University; times will be arranged to suit the participants. The study will equate to approximately 3.5 hours for each family. All participants will be supported through debrief and an optional additional session with the researcher. Where appropriate a referral can be made to the Paediatric or other services.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SW/0192
Date of REC Opinion
22 Sep 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion