Are you affected by harmful behaviour?

Date: Monday, January 2nd 2017
Categories: All Leicestershire Activities & Events Groups & Forums

The University of Birmingham is running a project aimed at family carers affected by harmful behaviour. They are investigating the experience of family carers who are affected by violent, abusive or harmful behaviour by the older person for whom they care. They are not examining the causes of illness or seeking to investigate or hold any older person ‘responsible’ for behaviour which may have developed during illness and disease. Rather, they are examining the impact of living with this behaviour on the part of family carers. They aim to raise awareness of this sensitive and hidden issue to develop understanding about the needs of carers and those they care for.

Who can take part?

The University of Birmingham is looking for adults who are carers or ex-carers for an older family member and have experience of abusive, violent or harmful behaviour when caring.

Background to the project

There is limited evidence about how family carers are affected by violent, abusive and harmful behaviour from the older people for whom they care. What research exists suggests that this problem is likely to have a big impact on family carers’ health and well-being. Experiencing and coping with harmful behaviour within the family home or within a relationship of long-term caring may increase people’s feelings of being trapped, controlled and unable to bring about change. Feelings of loyalty and duty may also contribute to a feeling that harmful behaviour should be tolerated; perhaps until the caring relationship ends or breaks down. Wanting to protect and care for an older family member may inhibit carers sharing their experiences and asking for help. Similarly, a lack of public awareness about the issue may make it hard to explain and explore, which in turn contributes to the problem remaining hidden. This research aims to explore the impact of harmful behaviour on carers to raise awareness, contribute to a limited evidence base and to plan support for affected families.

What would be involved?

The University would arrange a time and private place to meet. This could be your home, the University or a public but private space (e.g. a room in a health clinic or community centre). They will arrange a time that is convenient with you. The aim of the interview is to understand your experiences and the University is interested in hearing anything that you wish to discuss. (Travel expenses will be reimbursed).

They will ask some questions about your experience of caring and your relationship with the person you care for. They will also ask about how you manage difficult situations and what you have found difficult or helpful in talking to people or accessing support.

Interviews usually last between 45 and 60 minutes. However, you can stop the interview at any time or change your mind about taking part up to and during the interview. After the interview, you can contact the University within a month period to withdraw your interview from the study. Taking part in the project is entirely voluntary.

The University will record the interview to help them to have an accurate record of what you say. This will be kept entirely confidential and within the University. You can have a copy of what you talk about after the interview.

The University will keep in touch with you about the project after the interview. You will receive a summary of the findings of the project and how they are being shared and taken up. You can contact the University to discuss any aspect of your involvement throughout the project. You can also make clear if you don’t want to stay in contact or to receive this information. Information about the project’s progress and findings will also be regularly posted on the project website (www.carershiddenharm.com).

If you don’t want to take part in an interview but would like to share your views, please get in touch with the University. They are keen to hear about your experiences and want to support you to do this in whatever feels the most comfortable way. This could involve, for example: talking on the phone, communicating by letter or email, or with the help of someone that you know and trust.

Confidentiality

The interview and any other discussions or correspondence that you have will be kept confidential. Your name and any information that is personal to you will be changed to protect your identity. All information will be stored in a secure place at the University.

If the University is seriously concerned about your immediate safety or well-being, or seriously concerned about the immediate safety and well-being of a child or adult, then they may need to share this information. They would tell you about their concerns. If you are unable to do so, they will share these concerns on your behalf.

Ethical approval

The project has ethical approval from the University of Birmingham’s ethics committee.

Who's involved in the project?

A small research team at the College of Medical and Dental Sciences at the University of Birmingham. The College is funding the project. Louise Isham is the PhD researcher on the project and is a qualified social worker with practice experience. Dr Caroline Bradbury Jones and Dr Alistair Hewison lead the project. They are both experienced academics with significant expertise and a track-record of carrying out research on sensitive topics. They are also both qualified nurses.

Doctoral researcher: Louise Isham
Contact details: [email protected]
07861 657717

Co-supervisor: Dr Caroline Bradbury-Jones
Contact: [email protected]
0121 414 3951

Co-supervisor: Dr Alistair Hewison
Contact: [email protected]
0121 414 3951

Find out more

To find out more about the project and the research team, please contact Professor Fiona Irvine, Department of Nursing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham at [email protected] or call 0121 415 8519.

Visit the project website