Acute Inpatient Mental Health Services: Carers experiences and implementing Method of Levels Therapy for those experiencing suicidality.

Abstract

Acute inpatient mental health settings provide care for people experiencing mental health crises who cannot safely be supported in the community. These services are faced with many challenges in helping services users and their caregivers. The aim of this thesis was to understand more about the experiences of caregivers and the potential feasibility and applicability Method of Levels (MOL) therapy for inpatients experiencing suicidality. The thesis comprises three separate papers: 1) systematic literature review, 2) empirical study and 3) critical appraisal of the research process. Paper One is a qualitative systematic literature review of parent and carer’s experiences of their child or adolescent’s inpatient mental health admission. There were thirteen studies identified that collected the experiences of 215 parents or carers. Three themes emerged from a thematic synthesis of the data: 1. Stress of the hospitalisation (the reality of getting through the door, service provision, and staff relationships “a guide to get you through”), 2. Carers role (getting the balance right, building a new perspective), 3. Psychological and emotional wellbeing (relief “an inner peace”, guilt “in over our heads as parents”, concerns for the future).Considerations were made regarding how the experiences mentioned in the paper fit with the wider research. Parents’ and carers’ experiences with inpatient mental health treatment for their children has been discussed in terms of clinical practise and future research recommendations. Paper Two is an empirical study exploring the feasibility and acceptability of MOL therapy as a psychological intervention for people experiencing suicidality in acute inpatient mental health settings. Seven participants were recruited and had a three-month therapy window during which they could book MOL sessions. They completed qualitative semi-structured interviews about their experiences and outcome measures were collected at baseline, following each session, end of therapy and one-month follow up. Two themes emerged from a reflexive thematic analysis of the data: 1. Care on the ward (unmet need and in search of meaningful connections), 2. The experience of sessions (connecting with the emotion, control and new perspectives). Additionally, secondary data and feasibility were presented. As well as a discussion about limitations and recommendations. Paper Three offers a critical appraisal of the research’s methodology as well as observations on the research process. Personal reflections are made in addition to further analysis of the strengths and limitations.

Date of Award	31 Dec 2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	Yvonne Awenat (Supervisor) & Sara Tai (Supervisor)