What do children tell us about their experiences of physical restraint
Research type
Research Study
Full title
What do children and young people tell us about their experiences of physical restraint?
IRAS ID
247096
Contact name
Simon Nielson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Edge Hill University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
18/NW/0604, NORTH WEST-LIVERPOOL CENTRAL
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 17 days
Research summary
A review of the literature has demonstrated that little is known about the experiences of children and young people who have been physically restrained within healthcare settings, with no empirical work relating children and young people’s views of physical restraint in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).
The use of physical restraint is a frequent nursing intervention in the care of children (Kennedy, 2016). Many episodes of clinical care still rely on holding children and young people to complete the procedure, despite the availability of alternative and positive strategies (Bray, Snodin and Carter, 2014). When a child or young person is physically restrained this can place them at risk of physical harm (British Institute of Learning Disabilities (BILD, 2010). Even though the intention of physical restraint is to reduce risk by preventing, restricting, or otherwise subduing movement (Department of Health (DH), 2014), it has been associated with psychological damage in patients in inpatient mental health settings (Hollins, 2017; Goulet, 2016; Mohr et al., 2003).
Whilst physical restraint is often used to protect children and/or people around them from harm, it raises ethical, moral and legal issues (Hollins, 2017; Scheuermann et al., 2016; Georgieva et al., 2012; United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), 1989). Therefore, a clearer understanding of children and young people’s experiences of physical restraint will help services consider the impact of physical restraint within the context of the ‘lived experiences’ and any associated impacts upon children and young people.
This is a qualitative interview-based study. Up to 20 children or young people aged 10-14 years old, who have an established discharge date from an NHS Tier 4 CAMHS Children’s Inpatient Unit, will be invited to participate in the study. Children and young people will be interviewed on one occasion before they are discharged from Tier 4 CAMHS. The children or young people will be offered the opportunity to generate visual data (e.g. drawings and/or timelines) to support their discussion during the interview. The Interview will be audio-recorded and is expected to last around 25 minutes depending on the child or young person’s preference and engagement.
Findings will add to the research evidence related to the experiences of physical restraint with children and young people in inpatient mental health care. This study will potentially play a significant role in informing future policy regarding the use and effects of physical restraint as well as adding the ‘child and young person’s voice’ to a currently under-represented evidence base.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NW/0604
Date of REC Opinion
18 Sep 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion