The personal experience of carers of individuals with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and their experiences of services

Abstract

This thesis consists of research and clinical components and is submitted as partial fulfilment of a doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology. Volume 1, the research component, comprises of a literature review, an empirical paper and a public domain paper. The systematic literature review looks at evidence linking attachment and caregiving in adult couples. The empirical paper explores the experiences of individuals with a partners diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Lastly, a public domain provides a summary of the empirical paper. Volume II, the clinical component, contains clinical practice reports conducted within placements from adult, child, learning disability older adult specialities. The first report contains a behavioural and systemic formulation of a 3 year-old who was referred as her mother was having difficulties managing her behaviour. The second report describes an evaluation of the Experiences of practitioners interpreting and delivering Triple P (Positive Parenting Programme) groups in South Asian Community languages. The third report presents a single case experimental design concerning a behavioural approach to challenging behaviour displayed by a 7-year old boy with learning disabilities and autism. The fourth report is a case study of a Cognitive Behavioural approach used with a man diagnosed with Persistent Paranoid Delusional Disorder. Finally, the fifth report is an abstract of an oral case presentation of a small-scale service related project around a multiple family therapy group for adolescents with anorexia nervosa.