Relational aspects involved in adjustment to a low-grade brain tumour
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The relational aspects involved in the adjustment to a low-grade brain tumour diagnosis: A qualitative study
IRAS ID
257756
Contact name
Sophie Wilkes
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
A brain tumour is a lump of cells in the brain which forms when cells grow in a strange way. Brain tumours are rated from low to high-grade. A brain tumour that grows slowly is ‘low-grade.’
The research aims to understand the role people’s relationships play in the process of adjusting to a low-grade brain tumour. The research aims to understand more about the role of attachment in the adjustment process.
Attachment theory describes the way in which infants try to seek closeness to others in dangerous or uncertain situations to try to keep themselves safe. The way caregivers behave towards infants teaches them how to maintain closeness in other relationships. Receiving a diagnosis can be an uncertain situation. People behave in the same way that they learnt to keep themselves safe as infants and seek closeness to others to try to reduce distress.
Previous research investigated the role of attachment in adjusting to other physical health diagnoses. Research found that problematic attachment was associated with greater appraisals of threat and lower perceived social support. It is hoped this research will enhance health-professionals understanding to improve support provided to people following a diagnosis of a low-grade brain tumour.
As there is currently no research in this area, adults with a confirmed diagnosis of a low-grade brain tumour will be invited to take part in an interview about their experiences. Participants will be recruited through NHS services and The Brain Tumour Charity. Participants will be asked to complete a questionnaire which asks how they relate to others. Interviews will last up to an hour and a half. Interviews will be conducted in NHS clinic rooms, via skype or telephone, or in participant's homes depending on their locality and preference.
REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/0658
Date of REC Opinion
11 Apr 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion