Provision for parents on psychiatric inpatient units (POPI)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Mixed methods investigation into provision of family rooms and support for parents admitted to psychiatric inpatient units and their children.
IRAS ID
340906
Contact name
A Dunn
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Sussex
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, months, days
Research summary
Each year, almost 100,000 people are admitted to psychiatric hospitals. Around one in four of these patients are parents with dependent children. Being in hospital can mean long periods of separation between parents and children, which may affect the mental health and wellbeing of both.
Children can visit their parent on the ward, but these visits are often difficult. Visiting spaces may not be welcoming or suitable for children, and hospital rules about visiting can vary. Parents and children may not receive enough support before, during, or after visits.
This study aims to understand what it is like for families when a parent is in a psychiatric hospital, especially around visiting. We want to hear from parents, children and young people, carers, and healthcare professionals about what works well, what is challenging, and what would make visits better.
In the first part of the study, we will carry out online interviews with parents (12–16), children and young people aged 8–18 (6–10), carers (6–10), and staff (12–16). In the second part, we will develop a short questionnaire to help a wider group (around 100 people) prioritise which changes to visiting arrangements would make the biggest difference.
The findings will inform a future project to co-design a ‘Family Visit Pack’, including example visiting spaces, staff guidance, and resources to support families. Our long-term aim is to improve support for parents and children during psychiatric hospital admissions.
This one-year study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and led by researchers at the University of Sussex.REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/EM/0005
Date of REC Opinion
26 Jan 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion