Physical Health of Adolescent Inpatients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Physical health of young people in inpatient mental health services: a 6 month prospective study
IRAS ID
288738
Contact name
Sophie Parker
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 27 days
Research summary
Young people with serious mental illness (SMI) have poorer physical health and are more likely to live an unhealthy lifestyle compared with their peers. Those who are admitted to adolescent inpatient units are even more at risk, given their poorer mental health and restrictions in daily life. However, little is known about the development of their physical health in the few months after admission to inpatient units. The main aim of this study is to find out more about how the physical health of young people admitted to inpatient units changes over time, and if there are any differences between those who continue as inpatients and those who are discharged.
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration Greater Manchester (ARC-GM) is funding the study. We will work with service users and staff at five inpatient units across Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust; Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust; Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust.
We will invite young people aged 14-18 to take part within two weeks of them being admitted to an inpatient unit. Participants will complete a range of physical and mental health assessments at three time-points – on admission, after 3 months and after 6 months. These will include routine health checks (e.g. BMI, blood pressure), behavioural questionnaires (e.g. diet, exercise) and mental health questionnaires (e.g. wellbeing).
We will also invite a sample of participants who have taken part in the main study, to take part in an interview about their physical health needs and what helps and hinders their ability to live a healthy lifestyle on inpatient units.
The findings will be used to inform the development of an intervention to improve the physical health and wellbeing of young people admitted to adolescent inpatient units.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/YH/0319
Date of REC Opinion
18 Dec 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion