Qualitative study - women engaging with digital addiction treatment
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A semi-structured interview study of the lived experiences of women engaging with digital cognitive behavioural therapy (‘Breaking Free Online’) for substance use disorder
IRAS ID
320529
Contact name
Sarah Elison-Davies
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
LifeWorks
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 29 days
Research summary
The nature and severity of drug and alcohol dependence vary from individual to individual, with multiple factors determining when someone might start using drugs or alcohol, why they might progress to being dependent on these substances, and their response to treatment. In particular, research has demonstrated significant differences between men and women in terms of their routes into substance use disorder (SUD), the kinds of substances used, and the other mental and physical health problems they might experience. Men make up a larger proportion of the treatment population compared to other gender identity groups. This would indicate that the treatment system would benefit from engaging under-represented gender groups through the introduction of novel interventions that can overcome many of the barriers they might face that can prevent them from presenting to services. This qualitative interview study will therefore explore the lived experiences of people who identify as women who are engaged with either community or prison SUD treatment services – specifically, this study will include participants who have engaged with a novel digital cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) programme for substance dependence, ‘Breaking Free Online’ (BFO). Because of its confidential nature, this novel intervention has the potential to help women with drug and alcohol dependence to access evidence-based treatment where previously they may have felt unable to access such support. This study will include both cisgender and transgender women, given that both gender groups face similar kinds of discrimination and mistreatment, including gender-based violence. Qualitative data collected from interviews will be used to develop a manual which can be used by practitioners supporting women to work through the program. Content will provide guidance on managing gender and trauma-related issues, and how to help women to experience optimal benefits from the clinical content in BFO.
REC name
Wales REC 4
REC reference
23/WA/0051
Date of REC Opinion
3 Apr 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion