Exploring the needs of service users with a co-existing mental health and neurodevelopmental disorder accessing Mental Health Services in Cwm Taf University Health Board (CTUHB)

Chelsea Courts, Anne Fothergill, Emma Westall, Catherine Purcell, Joyce Kenkre

Research output: Contribution to conferencePosterpeer-review

Abstract

Background
Previous literature has demonstrated a link between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and mental health disorders. For example, Lai, Lombardo and Baron-Cohen (2014) found a 42-56% co-occurrence between ASD and anxiety, and a 12-70% co-occurrence with depression. A lack of research into ASD in adulthood, particularly in areas such as identifying co-morbid health difficulties and research involving the views of individuals with autism, has been identified by Murphy et al. (2016). This study aims to contribute to these gaps in the literature.
Method
This two-phased study utilises a mixed methods design to investigate service user needs, and staff knowledge of ASD.
Phase 1: Service users with co-existing ASD and mental health disorder will take part in a focus group/individual interview (either online or face-to-face) to explore service user needs, and establish whether these needs are being met by CTUHB’s Mental Health Service.
Phase 2: Staff working within CTUHB’s Mental Health Service will be asked to complete a ‘Knowledge and Understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder’ questionnaire. There will also be an optional follow-up focus group to investigate staff perceptions of their knowledge of ASD in relation to the service user feedback from Phase 1.
Findings
The needs of service users with co-occurring ASD and mental health disorder will be identified, and whether these needs are being met by CTUHB will be determined. Staff knowledge of ASD will also be established.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 8 Jun 2018
EventPostgraduate Researchers' Presentation Day - Pontypridd, United Kingdom
Duration: 8 Jun 20188 Jun 2018

Conference

ConferencePostgraduate Researchers' Presentation Day
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityPontypridd
Period8/06/188/06/18

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