Patients' experience and progression through the TGU and Allington
Research type
Research Study
Full title
How does trauma affect patients’ experiences and progression through the TGU and Allington Centre?
IRAS ID
169920
Contact name
Jane Wood
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Kent
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
University of Kent Ethics, 20143880
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 5 days
Research summary
A debilitating disorder associated with experiencing trauma is Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD; DSM-V; APA, 2013). Research has consistently found higher rates of PTSD in offender populations compared to community samples (Wright, Borrill, Teers, & Cassidy, 2006). However, the prevalence of PTSD symptoms appears to be particularly high amongst mentally disordered offenders with prevalence reports as high as 50% (Pollock, 1999).
Evidence suggests that untreated PTSD in secure hospital settings has serious consequences for patients, and thus NHS service provision. For example, psychiatric patients with trauma histories tend to have more intense psychiatric symptoms, are more likely to have substance use disorders, and are more likely to require psychiatric inpatient treatment (Gray et al., 2003). Howells & Day (2006) suggest that poor treatment attendance and non-completion of treatment is also in part associated with the impact that trauma has on individuals. Further, research shows that PTSD has a devastating impact on an individual’s quality of life and physical health (Mendlowicz & Stein, 2000; Zatzick et al., 1997). Thus, standard NHS provisions for mentally ill offenders may be less effective for patients with PTSD. The resulting delays in patients’ progression and reduced ability to engage in treatment may lead to prolonged inpatient stays and increased costs to the NHS.
Although there is some evidence to suggest that mentally disordered offenders’ progression through mental health hospitals may be affected by their experiences of trauma, there is currently no research that directly examines this. The current research will examine the effects of trauma symptoms on patients’ experiences and progression through mental health services. This will be measured through patients’ treatment readiness, motivation to engage in treatment (psychological and psychiatric), motivation to change, quality of life, perception of progression and length of hospital stay.
REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0471
Date of REC Opinion
25 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion