Parents' experiences of support following their child's self-harm
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The experiences of support for parents and carers of young people in an inpatient unit who self-harm.
IRAS ID
154684
Contact name
Claire Smith
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Lancaster University
Research summary
Although self-harm (SH) in adolescence has been well researched, studies investigating parental experiences of SH are scarce. Since parents have a pivotal role in helping their child to access mental health services, a qualitative exploration of their experiences and perspectives is crucial. The main aim of the present research is to explore parents’ and carers’ support needs and their experience of support for their child’s self-harm.
Using a qualitative approach, the research hopes to conduct up to 12 semi-structured interviews with parents and carers of children at the inpatient unit who self-harm. Parents and carers will be invited to comment on their overall experience of their child’s self-harm and the service; including any support they received at the unit and whether they felt any support was missing.
The emerging themes from the data analysis will provide clinical psychologists within the service with a broader understanding of parental support needs and crucial insight into their experience of the service. Such findings will be invaluable for informing future service self-harm policy, information and guidance, and family support initiatives that will ensure parents are adequately supported with their child’s self-harm.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NW/1154
Date of REC Opinion
19 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion