The BABS study: (Building Attachment & Bonds Service)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A mixed method study to explore the impact and outcomes of a specialist Building Attachment & Bonds Service in Knowsley (The BABS Study)
IRAS ID
241481
Contact name
Lesley Briscoe
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Edge Hill University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
NA, NA
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 29 days
Research summary
We are interested to understand about how psychological intervention to support mental health support impacts upon the bonding relationship between parents and their infants during the perinatal period (from conception to two years post birth). This research area is of particular relevance because we know that poor parental mental health and an impoverished attachment relationship impacts upon infant and children’s mental health with an ultimate cost to personal and family experience, society and services such as the NHS. Therefore, this research is of relevance to the local and national population of the UK.
The BABS Service in Knowsley is unique in three ways; 1) the service approach focuses on both parents during pregnancy, (2) it involves all different professionals working together and (3) it offers support based in the heart of the community.
All women above 16 years of age, who have been referred to Knowsley BABS can be included in this study. Their partners can also be included. All stakeholders who have links to this service will be invited to take part.
The study will run from September 3rd 2018-October 31st 2019.
During routine input from the service, women usually complete six standardised questionnaires. For this research study, women will be asked if they would like to share the questionnaires with the researchers. Women and their partners will also be invited to take part in an individual interview or a focus group. Stakeholders will be invited to complete an online survey about the BABS service. Participants can opt in or out of any part of the research and their relationships with the clinical team will not be affected.
The findings from this research will potentially help us to further understand about the relationship between attachment, bonding and mental health, the impact of specialist therapeutic interventions, and the type of service that the community values and needs. Furthermore, this study will inform us if the research approaches are appropriate, if the research questions are important to parents and what things to avoid in a larger study to inform future research approaches.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NW/0610
Date of REC Opinion
24 Sep 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion