The therapeutic relationship in using the Mental Health Recovery Star
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A grounded theory examining the nature of the therapeutic relationship within the context of using the Mental Health Recovery Star
IRAS ID
165828
Contact name
Louise Johnson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Canterbury Christ Church University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
15/LO/0095 , REC Reference Number
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 9 months, 31 days
Research summary
The proposed research is a qualitative study, using a grounded theory approach (Corbin & Strauss, 2008) to identify the nature of the therapeutic relationship within the context of using the Mental Health Recovery Star (MHRS). This is a tool used as both an outcome measure and intervention towards personal recovery from mental distress. It is a holistic measure, incorporating a full spectrum of life areas within a personalised and collaborative approach (MacKeith & Burns, 2013). It maps ten visual scales along with descriptors of a range of outcome areas of recovery that support progress towards individualised goals. The rationale behind the design and the guidance of the MHRS stems mostly from recovery literature (Anderson, et al., 2003) as well as anecdotal evidence and consultations with staff and service users about the process of recovery. Whilst two studies have looked at the MHRS’s psychometric properties as an outcome measure (Dickens et al., 2012; Killaspy et al., 2012), yielding some promising results, no formal research has looked at the nature of the process of the work done within its framework, and especially the therapeutic relationship. The proposed research hopes to address this gap looking at the nature of the therapeutic relationship between service users and mental health professionals (workers) within the context of using this tool - in particular
What are the experiences of service users using the MHRS with a staff member (worker)?
How do service users describe their relationship with a worker within the context of using the MHRS?
What specifically are the things about the relationship with a worker within the context of using the MHRS that participants perceive as more or less facilitative of their recovery?REC name
London - Brent Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0095
Date of REC Opinion
4 Feb 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion