Note: This account only posts external research that has been approved by the NAS research team.
We are looking for individuals with a diagnosis of autism who have been patients on an adult psychiatric inpatient unit, to participate in a semi-structured interview about their experiences.
Lead researcher - Declan Downey, is autistic, and is conducting this study as his thesis for his doctorate in clinical psychology. Declan has spent 5 years working on inpatient psychiatric units, and has a keen interest in this topic. We would like to explore how autistic people experience admissions in these settings. This is an area that has limited research, and the research team are keen to further understand how this admission is experienced, and to give autistic people a platform to share these experiences, particularly what was helpful, unhelpful, or challenging. This research aims to make recommendations to help shape policy and practice, to enhance the experience of autistic people who are admitted to psychiatric hospitals.
The supervisor of this project is Professor Megan Freeth, who is an autism researcher at the university of Sheffield, and has many years experience conducting and supervising research projects related to the experiences of autistic people.
Reimbursement
For participating in the study you will be reimbursed with a £10 love2shop voucher.
Participant eligibility criteria
We are looking for participants who:
-Have a diagnosis of autism (this may have been received after the admission)
-Have a diagnosis of autism (this may have been received after the admission)
-Do not have a co-occurring diagnosis of learning disability
-Experienced their admission when they were over the age of 18, in an adult psychiatric hospital.
-Feel they are emotionally able to participate in an interview which may bring up some difficult feelings.
-Experienced their admission when they were over the age of 18, in an adult psychiatric hospital.
-Feel they are emotionally able to participate in an interview which may bring up some difficult feelings.
We also ask this your admission lasted for at least 2 weeks, and occurred within the last 3 years.
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Support
We understand that this research topic can be emotional for some individuals. Prior to participating in an interview, you will be invited for a 20 minute meeting with Declan to complete a support plan. This will help Declan know how best to support you if you begin to find the interview challenging or emotive. You can also bring someone with you to the interview for support, however it is important that they do not answer questions on your behalf.
If you have any communication needs, please let us know and this will be facilitated to the best of our ability. For example, using the text box function rather than speaking, or communicating through a support team can be facilitated.
Interviews can take place in person, or via google meets. Please note, these can only take place in person in Sheffield.
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Contact