Risk perception and its affect on therapeutic relationships
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Risk perception and its effect on therapeutic relationships in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service: A Dialogical Narrative Analysis
IRAS ID
299593
Contact name
Elizabeth Darwell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 24 days
Research summary
Research highlights the importance of relationships in working effectively with risk in a child and adolescent mental health setting (CAMHS). It also tells us how important the relationship between clinicians and families is in contributing significantly to positive therapeutic outcomes. Carers have described feelings of helplessness, guilt, sadness and stress in relation to their child’s risky behaviours. There is also an awareness of how clinicians can feel the need to protect themselves against any failure in their decision making when managing risk. The aim of this study is to contribute to understanding more about the relationships created between clinicians and carers as they work together in situations of increased risk. Circumstances of risk in a CAMHS setting may include (but are not limited to) self-harming, suicidal thinking or suicide attempts, self-neglect or engaging in behaviours which place young people in unsafe or vulnerable situations.
I will begin the data collection by undertaking a participant observation in a CAMHS Crisis Mental Health Team for 1 week. This will allow me to gain an understanding of how managing risk effects clinical practice and relationships, and how this is influenced by the context. This will inform the focus for the subsequent interviews. Between 3-4 Clinicians in Hull CAMHS, and 3-4 carers who have a young person currently being supported by this service will be invited to be interviewed once for 60-90 minutes to share their experiences. The observation and interviews will take place from September 2021-February 2022.REC name
West of Scotland REC 3
REC reference
21/WS/0084
Date of REC Opinion
3 Sep 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion