Exploring lived experiences of familial support in forensic settings using best-fit framework synthesis and interpretative phenomenological analysis: a portfolio thesis
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Date
27/11/2019Author
Gillespie, Martha Eleanor
Metadata
Abstract
Existing research has evidenced the fact that maintained familial support can have positive
outcomes for prisoners and forensic patients during a detention. Maintained familial support
has been linked with reduced reoffending, improved mental health, and improved
relationships following imprisonment or hospitalisation for the individuals receiving support.
Despite this, visiting relatives in prison has been shown to have both positive and negative
consequences for families of prisoners.
Given the available literature which has focused on families’ experiences of supporting
relatives during imprisonment, a systematic review was conducted to explore, collate, and
critically analyse these findings. Drawing upon qualitative literature, a best-fit framework
synthesis approach was used which allowed the researchers to identify the applicability of
and expand upon an existing framework when considering families’ experiences. Three
superordinate themes were identified: Experiencing a “parallel sentence” beyond prison
walls; Shifting roles and relationships; and Ambivalence. Twelve subthemes were
encapsulated by these superordinate themes.
Whilst literature has explored families’ experiences in this context, there has been a dearth
of research exploring prisoners’ perspectives of maintained familial support, and research
exploring patients’ experiences of familial support is almost entirely absent. Therefore, an
explorative study drew upon the methodological principles of interpretative
phenomenological analysis to investigate this phenomenon. Eleven patients residing in a high
security forensic hospital who had maintained familial support via hospital visits were
interviewed about their experience of familial support. Interviews were recorded,
transcribed, and then analysed. Analysis revealed four superordinate themes: Connection;
Growth, Power; and Ambivalence. Sixteen subthemes are subsumed by these superordinate
themes. Results are discussed, along with clinical implications, study limitations, and
suggestions for further research.