Perceptions of OSN for Social Isolation in Young People with Psychosis

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Exploring Perspectives on Online Social Networking for Reducing Social Isolation in Psychosis: A Focus Group Study.

  • IRAS ID

    329230

  • Contact name

    Emily Thelwell

  • Contact email

    emily.l.r.thelwell@warwick.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Warwick

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 3 months, 28 days

  • Research summary

    What led to this research?
    Evidence suggests that Online Social Networking (OSN) has potential for helping to reduce social isolation of people with psychosis. Due to their affinity to technology, young people with psychosis may gain more benefit from the use of OSN to reduce social isolation as they are more likely than older people with psychosis to use OSN. However, despite previous promising systematic reviews into OSN use and these studies have not focused on early psychosis or youth views and uses.

    What will we study?
    We will explore young people with psychosis and mental health professionals’ views of online social networking for reducing social isolation in psychosis to aid the development of guidelines for future development of interventions.

    How will we study this?
    This study will take place within Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust (CWPT) NHS. Patient and staff participants will be recruited, and data collected in quiet rooms within the trust. Participants will be identified through secondary care mental health services. We will organise focus groups with people with psychosis and health professionals in mental health care to generate ideas on the benefits of online social networking interventions and barriers to use, or prevention of social isolation.

    What will the study lead to?
    Based on the findings of this study, we will develop a guidance for implementation of OSN to reduce social isolation in individuals with psychosis.

    How will we share our results?
    We will publish findings in academic journals produce guides about the use of OSN for patients with psychosis and policy makers.

  • REC name

    South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    24/SC/0235

  • Date of REC Opinion

    9 Aug 2024

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion