Psych Flexibility/Self-compassion in Adolescents with a CHC ver.1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
What role does Psychological Flexibility and Self-compassion play in Adolescents with a Chronic Health Condition: Effects linked to Quality of Life, Mood and Medication Adherence
IRAS ID
269996
Contact name
Chris Graham
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queens University, Belfast
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 31 days
Research summary
Psychological flexibility is defined as the ability to respond openly to our experiences in the present moment, whilst taking action to lead a life consistent with our values and beliefs (Hayes et al., 2006). Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT) focuses on improving Psychological flexibility. Evidence from the adult literature associated with coping in chronic health conditions (CHCs) has evinced the prominent role of Psychological flexibility across CHCs (i.e. diabetes, epilepsy etc.) in improving quality of life (QoL) and mood, suggesting a role for ACT. The adult literature has also highlighted the beneficial role of Self-Compassion in dissipating patient distress. In spite of these advances within the adult literature, there remains a lack of research focusing on Psychological Flexibility and Self-Compassion in adolescents with CHCs. The present study will seek to explore the role these two variables play in developing more adaptive ways of coping with a CHC in adolescence. To do this, a cross-sectional self-report questionnaire design will ask adolescent patients of a Paediatric Clinical Health Psychology service to complete a questionnaire pack. Adolescent patients with a CHC that provide assent and parental consent will be asked to complete the Acceptance and Fusion-Youth (AFQ-Y), the Self-Compassion Short form (SCS-SF), the Kidscreen-10, the Young Persons-CORE (YP-CORE) and the Medication Adherence (MARS-5). Responses will be analyzed utilising SPSS employing a multiple hierarchical regression analysis. It is hypothesized that Psychological Flexibility and Self-Compassion will directly influence adaptive coping in adolescents with a CHC, with these transdiagnostic processes positively correlating with higher levels of QoL, mood and medication adherence. Consequently, If Psychological flexibility and Self-compassion play a central role in explaining the aforementioned outcomes in adolescents with a CHC, this finding could suggest that interventions such as ACT may potentially be beneficial in addressing poor Qol, mood or medication adherence in adolescents with a CHC.
REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
20/NI/0038
Date of REC Opinion
5 Jun 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion