Study on mental health and employment

Hi, I’m a final year Psychology student at Manchester Metropolitan University looking for forum members who would like to take part in my dissertation research project. The research will focus on employment and mental health, with particular focus on the issue of disclosing a mental health condition to an employer and the potential impact of the impending reforms to incapacity benefit. These are major concerns for many people experiencing mental health difficulties and results from this research will provide valuable insight in to these issues. Please note, you do not have to currently be in employment to take part in the study, the only requirement is that you have some experience of having problems with mental health (past or present).

This is a qualitative study which values the individual, in-depth experiences of participants. As such, I have chosen to use the interview method, rather than a questionnaire or survey, as most valuable for exploring my topics for research. Participation will involve taking part in either a telephone or instant messenger conversation (whichever you prefer) lasting approximately one hour to discuss mental health and employment. I am more than happy to e-mail a copy of the questions you will be asked prior to the conversation on request.

The interview will be recorded and later transcribed for analysis, with the final report reviewed by members of academic staff at the University and potentially subsequently published. All information you provide will not be associated with your name and you will have the option to provide a pseudonym (alternative name) for this purpose.

Please note if you do decide to participate, you are free to withdraw from the study at any point. Please just inform me a.s.a.p if you do decide to withdraw (see contact details below) and your information will be removed. Results of the study will be available on request, upon completion of the study in April 2012.

Please contact me at catherine.o.haygarth@mmu.ac.uk, reply on this topic, or send a private message to my account here if you wish to participate, and I will send further information on providing a pseudonym and arranging a convenient interview time. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have about the research.

I'm having problems receiving external mail to my university e-mail given in the original post. Please contact me at haygarthc85@yahoo.co.uk, reply on this topic or send me a PM if you are interested in taking part in the study. There has been quite a lot of interest but I am still looking for four more volunteers who can spare an hour. Many thanks