Entering and adjusting to a different and uncertain world: experiences and support needs of adult family members, partners and friends in England who care for an adult at risk of suicide
type: CreativeWork
description: Background: Mental health services in England are dependent on family and friends to support patients who may be at risk of suicide. However, support for these informal caregivers is lacking despite evidence of caregiver burden, poor health outcomes, and difficult encounters with mental health services. Stigmatising experiences have been unearthed in qualitative studies although perceived stigma relating to suicidal behaviour has not been formally assessed in carers. To date, minimal research specifically investigating carers of adults at risk of suicide has been conducted in England and there is a dearth of mixed methods inquiry in the field. Aim: This exploratory mixed methods research aimed to develop an understanding of the experiences and support needs of adult informal caregivers of adults at risk of suicide. Methods: An online survey of 101 self-selecting adult carers of an adult at risk of suicide assessed perceived stigma of suicide attempt, quality of life and helpfulness of support services, as well as obtaining qualitative data on experiences and support needs. Semi structured interviews were carried out with 15 of the survey participants. Statistical analyses were conducted with quantitative data, summative content analysis was used for qualitative survey data and reflexive thematic analysis for interview data. The three data sets were integrated, and, through a process of abduction, mixed methods interpretations were achieved. Results: The overarching theme of ‘entering and adjusting to a different and uncertain world’ was generated, with uncertainty being the main response of carers. The finding of uncertainty is explained by the Uncertainty in Illness Theory. Carer uncertainty was acute on entry to the different world, enduring in the longer term, and inherent in perspectives on the future. Uncertainty manifested emotionally, psychologically, interpersonally and behaviourally, was perpetuated by difficult encounters with healthcare providers, and had…
abstract: Background: Mental health services in England are dependent on family and friends to support patients who may be at risk of suicide. However, support for these informal caregivers is lacking despite evidence of caregiver burden, poor health outcomes, and difficult encounters with mental health services. Stigmatising experiences have been unearthed in qualitative studies although perceived stigma relating to suicidal behaviour has not been formally assessed in carers. To date, minimal research specifically investigating carers of adults at risk of suicide has been conducted in England and there is a dearth of mixed methods inquiry in the field. Aim: This exploratory mixed methods research aimed to develop an understanding of the experiences and support needs of adult informal caregivers of adults at risk of suicide. Methods: An online survey of 101 self-selecting adult carers of an adult at risk of suicide assessed perceived stigma of suicide attempt, quality of life and helpfulness of support services, as well as obtaining qualitative data on experiences and support needs. Semi structured interviews were carried out with 15 of the survey participants. Statistical analyses were conducted with quantitative data, summative content analysis was used for qualitative survey data and reflexive thematic analysis for interview data. The three data sets were integrated, and, through a process of abduction, mixed methods interpretations were achieved. Results: The overarching theme of ‘entering and adjusting to a different and uncertain world’ was generated, with uncertainty being the main response of carers. The finding of uncertainty is explained by the Uncertainty in Illness Theory. Carer uncertainty was acute on entry to the different world, enduring in the longer term, and inherent in perspectives on the future. Uncertainty manifested emotionally, psychologically, interpersonally and behaviourally, was perpetuated by difficult encounters with healthcare providers, and had…
author: Lascelles, Karen Moya
language: en
date modified: 2026-07-24T03:42:42Z
provider: Oxford Brookes University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Oxford Brookes University

PropertyValue
property ID: DOI
value: 10.24384/7v36-0p39