The role of empowerment in recovery from severe psychological distress

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  The role of empowerment in recovery from severe psychological distress; a grounded theory exploration.

• IRAS ID

  140520

• Contact name

  Kate Fenton

• Sponsor organisation

  University of West of England

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 4 months, 26 days

• Research summary

  The aim of this research is to explore the relationship between empowerment and the process of recovery from severe psychological distress (or mental health difficulties). Empowerment means having self-determination over decision-making and personal control over life style choices and independence. Empowerment has been identified as supporting recovery through reducing the anxiety, improving quality of life, improving social support and increasing self-esteem(Corrigan,2004, Linhorst et al 2002, Ajayi 2010, World Health Organisation, 2010). The research will explore which factors encourage a sense of empowerment or conversely contribute to disempowerment.

  This qualitative research will begin by analysing published narratives written by survivors of severe psychological distress. This is to gain a broad understanding of the influences on empowerment from the perspective of service users. Semi-structured interviews will then be conducted to explore participants' experiences and the factors that enable people to regain a sense of control and ultimately recover.
  10 participants will be interviewed who have experienced at least one episode of psychosis. Participants will be over the age of 18 years and able to give informed consent. Open-ended questions will be asked about what has helped them feel more or less empowered in the process of recovery. Participants will be interviewed by the chief investigator for between 45-90 minutes. Participants will be recruited who are or have been involved with secondary mental health services, but whose mental health is currently stable. It is central to this research that participants are able to share their experiences and perspective about the impact of empowerment issues. A short online questionnaire will also be placed onto two mental health websites that people who browse these websites can complete.

  Data will be analysed using grounded theory to gain an understanding of the process of how a sense of control can be regained when experiencing psychological distress.

• REC name

  Wales REC 4

• REC reference

  14/WA/1241

• Date of REC Opinion

  10 Feb 2015

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion