Feeling Down and What Helps: Male Perspectives (Version 1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Male Representations of Depression and Treatment: a Q Methodology Study
IRAS ID
137032
Contact name
Jennifer E House
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Research summary
How do men with depression represent depression and treatment, and how might this affect help-seeking behaviour?
Background and Aims: Men are currently under-represented in services for depression. It is important to understand if and why existing interventions are not as acceptable to men as to women, as equity is a key element of quality of health care. The overall aim of this study is to guide development of suggestions for service providers about the types of intervention that are likely to be most acceptable, and therefore associated with the greatest uptake, for men with depression. The objectives are to explore how men with depression represent depression and treatment, and consider how this might affect help-seeking behaviour. Participants and Method: This study is exploratory in nature, aiming to identify perspectives, rather than test specific hypotheses. It will employ Q methodology, meaning that participants will be asked to consider statements of opinion about depression and treatment, and rate how much they agree with them, resulting in identification of patterns of thought. The sample will include men with depressive symptoms who have and have not sought help from services. Help-seekers will be recruited through Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) services, and non-help-seekers will be recruited through newspapers, door-to-door leafleting, and non-clinical settings such as libraries and gyms. Funding: This study is being undertaken as part of a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and is not externally-funded.
REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/0561
Date of REC Opinion
16 May 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion