Perceived autonomy in low secure forensic services
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Perceived autonomy in low secure forensic services: Exploring service users’ experiences.
IRAS ID
238758
Contact name
Remy Gray
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Salomons Centre for Applied Psychology
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 28 days
Research summary
This project will explore service users’ experiences of autonomy on a male low secure forensic unit. \n\nService user autonomy can be defined as “the right of patients to make decisions about their care without their healthcare provider trying to influence the decision” (MedicineNet, 2017); the healthcare provider is able to educate them, but not make the decision for them. \n\nAccording to Self-determination theory, autonomy is integral to service users being motivated to change and that behaviour change is more effective when service users are autonomously motivated (Ng et al., 2012).\n\nHaving an autonomous position suggests service users should have control over healthcare decisions, however within mental health care this situation is complex (Laugharne & Priebe, 2006), particularly in forensic services as often the staff team may decide that their duty to protect the community may override issues of service user autonomy (Carroll & Lyall, 2004).\n\nMotivation to change is key in engaging service users in the recovery process (Skinner, Heasley, Stennett & Braham, 2014) however, research suggests that many individuals within forensic mental health services will have low motivation levels (Cross & Kirby, 2002). In order to aid recovery and prevent service users from being detained for a number of years, research suggests that coercive practices are being used and are particularly prevalent in forensic psychiatry (Vollm & Nedopil, 2016).\n\nHowever, despite a large discourse in the literature regarding the use of coercive practice and the potential benefits of service user autonomy, there is limited research regarding service user views and experience of autonomy in forensic services.\n
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/0489
Date of REC Opinion
3 Apr 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion