Male forensic service users’ experience of shame.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An exploration of male forensic service users’ experience of shame.
IRAS ID
323898
Contact name
Sarah Flaherty-Hutchins
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Canterbury Christ Church University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
n/a, n/a
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 1 days
Research summary
Shame is commonly experienced in individuals with mental health difficulties and is associated with a range of psychological difficulties (Johnson et al., 2014). Tangney and colleagues (1996) found that the breaking of social norms is correlated highly with feelings of shame and so it makes sense that shame is a common experience amongst individuals who have committed an offence. Studies have shown how shame can have an impact on several aspects of a person’s life and can lead to many maladaptive behaviours, psychological difficulties, and an increased risk of offending (Tangney et al., 2011).
Research has shown that people with mental health difficulties often experience shame, as do people who have offended. Due to the stigma surrounding mental health conditions and offending, it is very likely that forensic patients would experience high levels of shame. Whilst previous studies have shown how high levels of shame is linked to violent offending, certain psychological difficulties and an increased risk of reoffending, no qualitative research has been identified exploring how shame is experienced amongst this population.
The aim of this study is to gain an in-depth understanding of male forensic patients’ lived experience of shame. It is hoped that the results from this study will aid our understanding about how shame is experienced in this group which in turn could help to improve their mental health and quality of life, build relationships with staff, and reduce their risk of recidivism.
The aim is to interview between 10 to 12 service users who are detained under the Mental Health Act in a low or medium secure inpatient unit. Interviews (which will last an hour maximum) will take place in NHS secure hospitals.
REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NW/0083
Date of REC Opinion
20 Apr 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion