Similarities, differences and intersection between EUPD and ASD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring professional’s perspectives of the similarities, differences and intersection of the presentation of individuals diagnosed with Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder and Autism: A Q-Methodology study.
IRAS ID
348960
Contact name
Laura Vassell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Staffordshire
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
This study will explore professionals in Multi-disciplinary Teams (MDTs) involved in diagnosing either or both Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder and Autism, focusing on their perceptions of the similarities, differences and intersection between these two presentations. Previous research has focused on looking at the similarities, differences and intersections between Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder and Autism from a position of understanding the symptoms or traits presented, and have done this as a systematic review and meta-analysis (May et al., 2012). Similarly, other studies have focused on how diagnostic manuals have characterised them (Linsey, 2019 cited in Gordon et al., 2020).
Participants in the main Q-study will be recruited from a range of core professions including; Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Nursing (Mental Health, Learning Disability, Non-prescribing, Advance Clinical Practice, Liaison Nurse) and from non-clinical/pre-qualified roles including; Assistant Psychologists, Clinical Psychologists in Training, Trainee Clinical Associate Psychologists and Health Care Assistants. All participants must have 1 years’ experience of working in teams involved in the diagnostic process with presentations that are consistent with a EUPD and ASD diagnosis. These experiences can be made up from working across several services. Participants do not need to be working in services where diagnostic decisions are made at the time of participating in the study.
This study is being carried out in fulfilment of the Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology programme, part of the School of Health, Science and Wellbeing. This study will be carried out from September 2023 - September 2026 at University of Staffordshire in Stoke-on-Trent.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/SW/0089
Date of REC Opinion
24 Jul 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion