Autistic Adult's Experiences of Inpatient Mental Health Wards
Research type
Research Study
Full title
What are the Experiences of Autistic Adults who have Spent Time on Inpatient Mental Health Wards in England?
IRAS ID
325230
Contact name
Rhiannon Williams
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Coventry University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
P147955, Coventry University Ethics
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 7 months, 21 days
Research summary
This qualitative study aims to gain an understanding of the challenges experienced by autistic inpatients on mental health wards within NHS England. An interpretive reflexive thematic analytic approach will be used, recruiting a purposive sample (N=12-16) who satisfy the following inclusion criteria: are adults (aged 18 or over at time of admission); have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Asperger's Syndrome; have spent at least 2 weeks on a general adult NHS England mental health ward within in the last 2 years; are able to communicate in spoken English; and are not at current risk of re-admission.
Participants will be recruited from: Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust and Herefordshire and Worcestershire NHS Trusts; third sector organisations and social media (Facebook). An advert and website have been created for recruitment (see attachments). Participants will take part in a 60-90 minute interview (either face to face or Microsoft Teams) and they will be able to bring a trusted person if they wish. Findings will be analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2006). Findings aim to help mental health professionals become more aware of challenges faced by autistic adults and help to provide services that take this into account in the future.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/YH/0142
Date of REC Opinion
26 Jul 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion