‘Finding a Relationship’ Conversations Between Mental Health and Social Care Staff, and Service Users

Background Most people seek to establish romantic or intimate relationships in life, including people with mental health problems. However, this has been a neglected topic in mental health practice and research. This study aimed to investigate views of mental health and social care staff about the appropriateness of helping service users with romantic relationships, barriers to doing this, and suggestions for useful ways to support this.

An online survey comprising both closed, multiple response and free-text questions was circulated to mental health organisations across the U.K. via social media, professional networks and use of snowballing sampling. A total of 63 responses were received. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and are reported as frequencies and percentages. Qualitative data were interpreted using thematic analysis, using an inductive approach.

Although most participants reported that ‘finding a relationship’ conversations were appropriate in their job role, many barriers to supporting service users were identified, including: a lack of training; concerns about professional boundaries; concerns about service user capacity and vulnerability; and concerns about being intrusive. Participant suggestions for future support included educating service users on safe dating behaviours, and practical interventions such as assisting service users to use dating sites and engage with social activities to develop social skills and meet others.

Staff were willing to help service users seek an intimate relationship but may need specific training or guidance to facilitate this confidently and safely. This study elucidates the need for further research in this area, particularly in understanding service user perspectives, and in developing resources to support staff in this work. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Funding Statement This study did not receive any funding Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: Ethics committee of University College London gave ethical approval for this work I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes Data Availability All data produced in the present work are contained in the manuscript