The Impact of an At-Risk Mental State Service on Parents/Carers
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Impact of an At-Risk Mental State Service on Parents' and Carers' Experiences: An IPA Exploration
IRAS ID
349108
Contact name
Charlotte Fowell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Staffordshire
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The research aims to explore the experiences of parents and carers of young people 14–25 receiving support from an At-Risk Mental State (ARMS) service and its impact on carer wellbeing.
The ARMS criteria identify individuals at high risk for developing psychosis (Yung, 1996). The criteria are characterised by low-level "psychotic-like symptoms" such as hearing voices, paranoia, and unusual beliefs, which cause distress, facilitating even earlier early intervention in psychosis (Yung et al., 1998).
ARMS services provide personalised care plans, including assessment, ongoing support for patients and families/carers, specialist psychological interventions, medical advice, practical support, social activities, assistance in accessing other services for improved wellbeing, and ongoing support from a key worker.
The study will involve an ARMS service located within the North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare Trust. Participants will be asked to participate in a 60-90 interview about their subjective experiences supporting their young person with an ARMS.
Research on parent and carer experiences in individuals with ARMS is limited, despite their crucial role in recovery. Hinojosa-Marqués et al. (2022) observed a neglect of the psychological needs of parents/carers during the ARMS period, underscoring the need for further research to comprehend the impact of ARMS on their psychological wellbeing. Despite significant literature on the views of parental/carer experience of psychosis, the experience of parents/carers of ARMS is still under-researched. The UK has conducted limited qualitative research on parents' and carers' experiences of ARMS services, which includes pathways into care, service involvement, and their needs throughout this process.
The study's goals are to learn more about these experiences and processes, find ways that services can help parents and carers more, and investigate the referral and assessment process, the effects of the help provided by an ARMS service, and the needs of parents and carers throughout the process.REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/PR/0965
Date of REC Opinion
1 Aug 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion