Sarah Kendal | University of Huddersfield (original) (raw)
Papers by Sarah Kendal
Health and social care delivery research, Oct 31, 2023
The effectiveness of sexual assault referral centres with regard to mental health and substance u... more The effectiveness of sexual assault referral centres with regard to mental health and substance use: a national mixed-methods study-the MiMoS Study
Research methods in medicine & health sciences, Feb 23, 2022
Purpose Trichotillomania (TTM) is characterised by the recurrent pulling out of one’s own hair, r... more Purpose Trichotillomania (TTM) is characterised by the recurrent pulling out of one’s own hair, resulting in hair loss. It is a poorly understood disorder with no consensus on aetiology or epidemiology. Nested within a larger qualitative study exploring a wide range of TTM topics, the aim of this paper is to report and consider participant views on the acceptability and feasibility of the asynchronous email interview method. Method Cross-cultural qualitative research on TTM is sparse; therefore, an international qualitative study with a geographically diverse sample was conducted using an asynchronous email interview method. Results Participant perspectives highlighted three themes related to the study method: the value in creating personal connections, cathartic reflections, and perceived strengths and weaknesses. This paper highlights the potential of the asynchronous email interview method for sustaining remote research across multiple locations, using a sample of 20 adults with TTM (18–55 years) from 15 different countries. Conclusions This was an acceptable and feasible method for data collection, facilitating remote access while yielding rich data from an often hidden and hard-to-reach population.
Health and social care delivery research, May 1, 2022
Reports are published in Health and Social Care Delivery Research (HSDR) if (1) they have resulte... more Reports are published in Health and Social Care Delivery Research (HSDR) if (1) they have resulted from work for the HSDR programme, and (2) they are of a sufficiently high scientific quality as assessed by the reviewers and editors. HSDR programme The HSDR programme funds research to produce evidence to impact on the quality, accessibility and organisation of health and social care services. This includes evaluations of how the NHS and social care might improve delivery of services.
Mental Health & Prevention, Sep 1, 2022
School-hosted mHealth is one option which could meet needs. This study co-designed and feasibilit... more School-hosted mHealth is one option which could meet needs. This study co-designed and feasibility tested a self-help, school hosted, digital intervention for adolescents showing early symptoms of deteriorating mental health. Via extensive co-design, we produced a youth-targeted web-app (MindMate2) and a low-intensity parent component (Partner2U). Feasibility was tested in four UK high schools with n = 31 young people (15-17y). We specified rules for progression to an effectiveness trial, tested candidate primary outcome measures and conducted an exploratory cost-effectiveness analysis. Co-design produced MindMate2U to be a sixweek, self-help, smartphone-delivered program targeting risk and protective factors for adolescent mental health. Young people's MindMate2U account was set up by school after which they progressed independently through six topics of their choosing. User ratings (n = 19) and post-intervention interviews (n = 6) showed resource acceptability. We met our recruitment, retention and pre-post measure completion targets and identified the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire as the most sensitive outcome measure. This study established the feasibility of a co-designed, mental health app as a low-burden, school-hosted resource for symptomatic young people and opens up new possibilities for the integration of mHealth in schools. Support via schools to parents of symptomatic young people may need to be universal rather than targeted. Following some refinements of MindMate2U, a phase 2 randomised controlled trial is warranted to test its effectiveness.
Nursing times, Dec 18, 2012
The idea that university education erodes the compassion out of student nurses is ludicrous, argu... more The idea that university education erodes the compassion out of student nurses is ludicrous, argues Sarah KendalApparently, nurses lack compassion. To address the problem, the chief nursing officer (CNO), has launched Compassion in Practice, a strategy to restore the nursing values of compassion, care, competence, communication, courage and commitment. She has been present in the media, tactfully responding to journalists who tell her that the root of the problem is nurses having a university education. She has rightly argued that while compassion is the current issue, nurses need real depth of knowledge to deliver care in a complex, rapidly changing environment.Is it so shocking that a nurse should go to university?
Research Involvement and Engagement
Introduction Young people with eating disorders are at risk of harm to their social, emotional an... more Introduction Young people with eating disorders are at risk of harm to their social, emotional and physical development and life chances. Although they can be reluctant to seek help, they may access social media for information, advice or support. The relationship between social media and youth well-being is an emotive subject, but not clearly understood. This qualitative study aimed to explore how young people used a youth-orientated, moderated, online, eating disorders discussion forum, run by an eating disorders charity. Methods We applied a netnographic approach involving downloading and thematically analysing over 400 messages posted August-November 2012. Results Data analysis generated five themes: Taking on the role of mentor; the online discussion forum as a safe space; Friendship within the online forum; Flexible help; and Peer support for recovery and relapse prevention. Forum moderation may have influenced the forum culture. Discussion Our findings are consistent with literature about youth preferences for mental health self-care support. A young person's decision to use this discussion forum can be construed as pro-active self-care. A moderated online discussion forum can make a positive contribution to support for youth with eating disorders, countering negative media perceptions of online groups. Conclusion This study adds to knowledge about how young people access support via social media. Online discussion forums can be safe and acceptable spaces for youth to access help. Further research could provide insights into the impact of forum moderation.
Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, Oct 17, 2011
PROBLEM: Schools have been identified as a suitable setting for the delivery of emotional well‐b... more PROBLEM: Schools have been identified as a suitable setting for the delivery of emotional well‐being (EWB) support, but in the United Kingdom there is little empirical evidence from young people that can inform the development of appropriate school‐based interventions.METHODS: Fifty‐four students (11–16 years) from three U.K. high schools discussed the content, delivery, and evaluation of acceptable, school‐based, EWB support. Focus group methods were matched to the school setting and sensitive topic.FINDINGS: Participants identified emotional difficulties in school, home, and with peer relationships. They said that some problems were too sensitive for them to seek help in school setting. They valued confidentiality, support, and effective help that were offered by people they experienced as friendly, trustworthy, and skilled. Teachers and peer mentors were not thought to fit these criteria, although trusted adults in mentor roles could meet their criteria. Participants recognized that they could hide their emotions, so their EWB would be difficult to assess. They described how the effect of emotional distress on their behavior is idiosyncratic, and therefore their EWB should not be judged simply on their behavior.CONCLUSION: The way in which EWB support is delivered in school is an important aspect of the role of practitioners and educators attempting to provide it. Because young people are sensitive to the personal qualities and skills of people offering them help, programs to train school staff in emotional support roles are important to ensure trust and an environment open to students seeking assistance. Interventions for school‐based EWB support need to consider subjective well‐being as well as behavioral change.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health, May 10, 2011
Health and social care delivery research, Oct 31, 2023
The effectiveness of sexual assault referral centres with regard to mental health and substance u... more The effectiveness of sexual assault referral centres with regard to mental health and substance use: a national mixed-methods study-the MiMoS Study
Research methods in medicine & health sciences, Feb 23, 2022
Purpose Trichotillomania (TTM) is characterised by the recurrent pulling out of one’s own hair, r... more Purpose Trichotillomania (TTM) is characterised by the recurrent pulling out of one’s own hair, resulting in hair loss. It is a poorly understood disorder with no consensus on aetiology or epidemiology. Nested within a larger qualitative study exploring a wide range of TTM topics, the aim of this paper is to report and consider participant views on the acceptability and feasibility of the asynchronous email interview method. Method Cross-cultural qualitative research on TTM is sparse; therefore, an international qualitative study with a geographically diverse sample was conducted using an asynchronous email interview method. Results Participant perspectives highlighted three themes related to the study method: the value in creating personal connections, cathartic reflections, and perceived strengths and weaknesses. This paper highlights the potential of the asynchronous email interview method for sustaining remote research across multiple locations, using a sample of 20 adults with TTM (18–55 years) from 15 different countries. Conclusions This was an acceptable and feasible method for data collection, facilitating remote access while yielding rich data from an often hidden and hard-to-reach population.
Health and social care delivery research, May 1, 2022
Reports are published in Health and Social Care Delivery Research (HSDR) if (1) they have resulte... more Reports are published in Health and Social Care Delivery Research (HSDR) if (1) they have resulted from work for the HSDR programme, and (2) they are of a sufficiently high scientific quality as assessed by the reviewers and editors. HSDR programme The HSDR programme funds research to produce evidence to impact on the quality, accessibility and organisation of health and social care services. This includes evaluations of how the NHS and social care might improve delivery of services.
Mental Health & Prevention, Sep 1, 2022
School-hosted mHealth is one option which could meet needs. This study co-designed and feasibilit... more School-hosted mHealth is one option which could meet needs. This study co-designed and feasibility tested a self-help, school hosted, digital intervention for adolescents showing early symptoms of deteriorating mental health. Via extensive co-design, we produced a youth-targeted web-app (MindMate2) and a low-intensity parent component (Partner2U). Feasibility was tested in four UK high schools with n = 31 young people (15-17y). We specified rules for progression to an effectiveness trial, tested candidate primary outcome measures and conducted an exploratory cost-effectiveness analysis. Co-design produced MindMate2U to be a sixweek, self-help, smartphone-delivered program targeting risk and protective factors for adolescent mental health. Young people's MindMate2U account was set up by school after which they progressed independently through six topics of their choosing. User ratings (n = 19) and post-intervention interviews (n = 6) showed resource acceptability. We met our recruitment, retention and pre-post measure completion targets and identified the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire as the most sensitive outcome measure. This study established the feasibility of a co-designed, mental health app as a low-burden, school-hosted resource for symptomatic young people and opens up new possibilities for the integration of mHealth in schools. Support via schools to parents of symptomatic young people may need to be universal rather than targeted. Following some refinements of MindMate2U, a phase 2 randomised controlled trial is warranted to test its effectiveness.
Nursing times, Dec 18, 2012
The idea that university education erodes the compassion out of student nurses is ludicrous, argu... more The idea that university education erodes the compassion out of student nurses is ludicrous, argues Sarah KendalApparently, nurses lack compassion. To address the problem, the chief nursing officer (CNO), has launched Compassion in Practice, a strategy to restore the nursing values of compassion, care, competence, communication, courage and commitment. She has been present in the media, tactfully responding to journalists who tell her that the root of the problem is nurses having a university education. She has rightly argued that while compassion is the current issue, nurses need real depth of knowledge to deliver care in a complex, rapidly changing environment.Is it so shocking that a nurse should go to university?
Research Involvement and Engagement
Introduction Young people with eating disorders are at risk of harm to their social, emotional an... more Introduction Young people with eating disorders are at risk of harm to their social, emotional and physical development and life chances. Although they can be reluctant to seek help, they may access social media for information, advice or support. The relationship between social media and youth well-being is an emotive subject, but not clearly understood. This qualitative study aimed to explore how young people used a youth-orientated, moderated, online, eating disorders discussion forum, run by an eating disorders charity. Methods We applied a netnographic approach involving downloading and thematically analysing over 400 messages posted August-November 2012. Results Data analysis generated five themes: Taking on the role of mentor; the online discussion forum as a safe space; Friendship within the online forum; Flexible help; and Peer support for recovery and relapse prevention. Forum moderation may have influenced the forum culture. Discussion Our findings are consistent with literature about youth preferences for mental health self-care support. A young person's decision to use this discussion forum can be construed as pro-active self-care. A moderated online discussion forum can make a positive contribution to support for youth with eating disorders, countering negative media perceptions of online groups. Conclusion This study adds to knowledge about how young people access support via social media. Online discussion forums can be safe and acceptable spaces for youth to access help. Further research could provide insights into the impact of forum moderation.
Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, Oct 17, 2011
PROBLEM: Schools have been identified as a suitable setting for the delivery of emotional well‐b... more PROBLEM: Schools have been identified as a suitable setting for the delivery of emotional well‐being (EWB) support, but in the United Kingdom there is little empirical evidence from young people that can inform the development of appropriate school‐based interventions.METHODS: Fifty‐four students (11–16 years) from three U.K. high schools discussed the content, delivery, and evaluation of acceptable, school‐based, EWB support. Focus group methods were matched to the school setting and sensitive topic.FINDINGS: Participants identified emotional difficulties in school, home, and with peer relationships. They said that some problems were too sensitive for them to seek help in school setting. They valued confidentiality, support, and effective help that were offered by people they experienced as friendly, trustworthy, and skilled. Teachers and peer mentors were not thought to fit these criteria, although trusted adults in mentor roles could meet their criteria. Participants recognized that they could hide their emotions, so their EWB would be difficult to assess. They described how the effect of emotional distress on their behavior is idiosyncratic, and therefore their EWB should not be judged simply on their behavior.CONCLUSION: The way in which EWB support is delivered in school is an important aspect of the role of practitioners and educators attempting to provide it. Because young people are sensitive to the personal qualities and skills of people offering them help, programs to train school staff in emotional support roles are important to ensure trust and an environment open to students seeking assistance. Interventions for school‐based EWB support need to consider subjective well‐being as well as behavioral change.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health, May 10, 2011
Young people’s mental health is a global concern. Prevention strategies such as promoting emotion... more Young people’s mental health is a global concern. Prevention strategies such as promoting emotional health are important responses to this concern and should consider young people’s social and cultural contexts. Public participation in research is gaining momentum, and young people have the right to involvement in decisions affecting them. Therefore research aimed at promoting young people’s emotional health requires meaningful communications with young people about their perspectives. Our study’s purpose was to develop a method for involving young people in research about their emotional health needs.
Methods
Our research team included a local young person with expertise in emotional health. We developed a qualitative design to consult with urban young people from northwest England, regarding their preferences for emotional health support. During spring 2014 we recruited 12 participants (16-18 years) via personal contacts and advertisements in local colleges. We conducted the research within an accessible, city centre, university campus. We facilitated focus groups using a topic guide and vignettes, followed immediately by a nominal group technique in which the participants analysed the data.
Results
Recruitment was challenging and may have been affected by the wide ranging commitments of our target age group. All participants chose to be involved in the data analysis. Two priorities were identified: (i) support that helped them address their own problems; (ii) better recognition of emotional health difficulties in settings frequented by young people. Recommendations for action were around themes of choice and raising awareness.
Conclusions and Implications
Young people’s involvement throughout the research process can enhance the validity of research evidence. Our findings can help develop emotional health promotion strategies that are locally sensitive, age appropriate, and relevant to perceived need.
In three high schools in north west England, I collaborated with young people to design a projec... more In three high schools in north west England, I collaborated with young people to design a project to promote their emotional wellbeing. It drew on cognitive behaviour theory and was delivered in confidence by teaching assistants. However, few young people used it. This presentation describes a study to explore why.
Interviews with the young people identified a problem with revealing emotional vulnerability within the peer group. Management support for the project depended on its fit with the school’s public image.
Young people’s input can enhance the design of appropriate support for them, though the social milieu of schools influences helpseeking.