Adult Sibling Relationships; from a Service User Perspective.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Adult Sibling Relationships; Perspectives of Service Users with Mental Health Difficulties.
IRAS ID
182419
Contact name
Rebecca Day
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambian Group
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 6 days
Research summary
Clinical experience within a rehabilitation setting would suggest that sibling relationships are of great importance to individuals with mental health difficulties. It was observed that service users often talk about their brothers and sisters; for example, comparing themselves to their sibling or expressing that they would like more contact with their sibling. Furthermore, research tells us that sibling relationships can have both a positive and negative impact on an individual’s mental health (Seeman, 2013). Despite this, sibling relationships, in the context of mental health, are often neglected within research and practice. Little is known about the perception of sibling relationships from the perspective of an individual who endures mental health difficulties. Moreover, at present, service users in mental health hospitals have little representation in the published literature. With an ever increasing emphasis on person-centered practice, service user’s involvement in research has never been more important.
This study will aim to use a qualitative methodology with adult inpatients with severe and enduring mental health problems. The aim of the study will be to explore the perceptions and experiences of their sibling relationships. Semi structured face-to-face interviews will be carried out and data will be analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The implications of these results on treatment, sibling involvement, service user led practice and further research will be discussed.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 01
REC reference
15/SS/0205
Date of REC Opinion
23 Nov 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion