Keeping in Touch: opportunities and barriers for children and young people maintaining connections to friends, families and education during periods of inpatient mental health care using case study methodology

John, Gavin 2022. Keeping in Touch: opportunities and barriers for children and young people maintaining connections to friends, families and education during periods of inpatient mental health care using case study methodology. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Background: Existing research has identified risks to children and young people’s (CYP) connections to their friends, family and education during periods of inpatient mental health care. However, to date there is a dearth of research on what interventions and processes support CYP to maintain these connections. Aim: To explore the interventions and processes that promote or hinder children and young people’s connections to their education, friends and families during periods of admission to hospital for mental health care. Method: Case study methodology was used involving the generation of qualitative and quantitative data in a single CAMHS inpatient unit. Three outcome measures relating to mental health, friends, family and education were completed by adolescents admitted to hospital for care and treatment of their mental ill-health (n=26). A subset of children and young people (n=9), their caregivers (n=6) and health, social and education practitioners (n=11) were interviewed, multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings were observed, and policy and procedure documents were examined. Results: Demographic data were collected and results from three questionnaires indicate participants were in the abnormal banding for the total difficulties score on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Participants scored highest on the global scale and trust and communication subscales in relation to mothers in the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment-Revised (IPPA-R). Highest scores were recorded on the behavioural and emotional engagement subscales of parts A and B of the Student School Engagement Survey (SSES). Thematic analysis of interviews (n=26), observations and documentary analysis of policy and procedure documents identified five themes: ‘Remote connections to friends and family’, ‘Physical connections to friends and family’, ‘Peers in hospital’, ‘Impact on families’ and ‘Connections to education’. Conclusion: The study highlights significant barriers to children and young people maintaining connections to their friends, family and education during periods of inpatient mental health care. It identifies candidate interventions to help children and young people maintain these connections.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Healthcare Sciences
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	26 January 2023
Last Modified:	30 Jan 2023 14:46
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/156271

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