Mental health staff's views and experiences on supporting service users' needs for romantic/intimate relationships: a qualitative systematic review.
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| Title: | Mental health staff's views and experiences on supporting service users' needs for romantic/intimate relationships: a qualitative systematic review. |
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| Authors: | Wu, Eunice (AUTHOR), Killaspy, Helen (AUTHOR), Eager, Sharon (AUTHOR), Smith O'Connor, Aisling (AUTHOR), Lloyd-Evans, Brynmor (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Journal of Mental Health. Apr2026, Vol. 35 Issue 2, p260-278. 19p. |
| Subjects: | Mental illness treatment, Mental health services, Mental health, CINAHL database, Health policy, Risk management in business, Systematic reviews, MEDLINE, Human rights, Attitudes of medical personnel, Patient-professional relations, Mental health personnel, Medical needs assessment, Interpersonal relations, Psychiatric nursing, Psychosocial factors, Friendship, Psychology information storage & retrieval systems, Sexual health, Social stigma |
| Abstract: | Background: Mental health service users often voice a need for support regarding romantic/intimate relationships, yet staff face barriers in delivering that support. Aims: Given the importance of intimacy to well-being and recovery, this systematic review aimed to synthesise the available qualitative literature on mental health practitioners' views and experiences of supporting people's needs for romantic/intimate relationships. Methods: We conducted searches on four research publication databases. Quality of studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist for Qualitative Research. Results were summarised using meta-aggregation. Confidence in the findings was measured using the ConQual assessment tool. Results: We identified 24 papers which met our inclusion criteria. Four synthesised findings were developed, namely (1) ideas and perceptions surrounding the intimacy needs of service users, (2) service provision at a personal level, (3) fitting intimacy needs into the therapeutic context and (4) service provision at an organisational level. Staff understood the importance of addressing intimacy needs, but voiced a need for improved knowledge, skills and support on how to have such conversations. Conclusions: Our findings can inform mental health policy change and support the development of interventions and guidelines that will enable staff to discuss with service users their needs regarding romantic/intimate relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Background: Mental health service users often voice a need for support regarding romantic/intimate relationships, yet staff face barriers in delivering that support. Aims: Given the importance of intimacy to well-being and recovery, this systematic review aimed to synthesise the available qualitative literature on mental health practitioners' views and experiences of supporting people's needs for romantic/intimate relationships. Methods: We conducted searches on four research publication databases. Quality of studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist for Qualitative Research. Results were summarised using meta-aggregation. Confidence in the findings was measured using the ConQual assessment tool. Results: We identified 24 papers which met our inclusion criteria. Four synthesised findings were developed, namely (1) ideas and perceptions surrounding the intimacy needs of service users, (2) service provision at a personal level, (3) fitting intimacy needs into the therapeutic context and (4) service provision at an organisational level. Staff understood the importance of addressing intimacy needs, but voiced a need for improved knowledge, skills and support on how to have such conversations. Conclusions: Our findings can inform mental health policy change and support the development of interventions and guidelines that will enable staff to discuss with service users their needs regarding romantic/intimate relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 09638237 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/09638237.2026.2645548 |
