Bennett, Sophie D.;
(2017)
Mental health of children and young people with neurological conditions.
Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).
Abstract
Children and young people with neurological conditions have at least a five times greater risk of developing a mental health disorder than their otherwise healthy peers. Little is known about effective methods for treating mental health disorders in the context of a paediatric chronic physical illness, despite high unmet need and serious adverse consequences. The purpose of this thesis was to develop and evaluate a method of routine identification and treatment of common mental health disorders in children and young people with chronic neurological conditions, using an online diagnostic interview and telephone-guided self-help intervention. The thesis is formed of nine chapters. Chapter One presents an overview of the background and rationale for the research. Chapter Two presents a systematic review of interventions to treat mental health disorders in the context of chronic physical illness. This found that very little research has been conducted on this topic to date. Chapter Three reports on a meta-analysis of guided self-help interventions for common mental health disorders in children and young people, demonstrating that guided self-help interventions may be as effective as face-to-face interventions. The thesis then reports on the feasibility of a process of identification of mental health disorders, integrated into paediatric neurology clinics (Chapter Four). Finally, a modular guided self-help intervention was piloted through four case studies (Chapter Five) and then a pilot randomised controlled trial of 34 participants; Chapter Six reports the study protocol. The intervention was evaluated quantitatively, through standardised measures (Chapter Seven), and qualitatively through semi-structured interviews with participants (Chapter Eight). Overall, results demonstrate that the process of identification followed by a guided self-help intervention may be effective in working towards participants’ specific goals for therapy and that it is acceptable to most participants. The clinical implications are discussed and suggestions for further research proposed in Chapter Nine.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | Ph.D |
| Title: | Mental health of children and young people with neurological conditions |
| Event: | UCL (University College London) |
| Language: | English |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL GOS Institute of Child Health UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL GOS Institute of Child Health > Population, Policy and Practice Dept |
| URI: | https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10039047 |
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