MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH CLUSTER

Research Cluster Membership

Mission Statement

The Mental Health Research Cluster (MHRC) places priority on clinical focused research. The work of the group is committed to further enhancing links between mental health research, education, policy and practice.  As a group, we have a wide range of multidisciplinary collaborations locally, nationally and internationally. In addition, we have close links with HSE and user and carer organisations at local and national level.
Overall aim

Undertake and disseminate high-quality interdisciplinary mental health research that has national and international relevancy. This research will influence and be responsive to contemporary mental health policy, practice and education.
Research and Audit activity
The cluster members have a range of research and audit experience across a variety of mental health related projects focusing on mental health issues such as:  

• Suicide prevention;
• Dementia;
• Psycho-education approaches for anxiety;
• Deliberate self-harm;
• Recovery.

Publication activity
The cluster members have a strong publication record on mental health issues and research methodologies. A sample of recent publications (2008-present) by cluster members includes the following:

Reports
Bradley, S., Murphy, K., Devane, D., Kennelly, B., Meskell, P., Dowling, M., Smyth, S., Tully, A., Conway, Y., Butler, MP., Jordon, F. Evaluation of the Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse (SCAN) Service, National Office for Suicide Prevention and Health Service Executive, November 2012.     
Denis Mockler -co-authored a research project called "Employment and Social Support.  A survey of Mental Health Service Users in Galway City”, published by HSE West 2009.

Peer-reviewed journal articles
McGuinness, D., Dowling, M, Trimble, T. (Forthcoming)  Experiences of involuntary detention in an approved mental health service. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. ( in press)

Tuohy, D., Cooney, A., Dowling, M., Murphy, K. & Sixsmith, J. (Forthcoming) An overview of interpretive phenomenology as a research methodology. Nurse Researcher. ( in press)

Walsh, F., Cleary, A. & Dowling, M. (2012) Maximising psychiatric nurses’ contribution to interdisciplinary working. British Journal of Community Nursing, 17(6), 270-275.

Cleary, A, Walsh F, Connolly, H, Hays V, Oluwole, B, Macken E, Dowling M. (2012) Monitoring and documentation of side effects from depot antipsychotic medication: an interdisciplinary audit of practice in a regional mental health service.Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 19(5), 395-401.

McGrath B,  Dowling M. (2012) Exploring registered psychiatric nurses’ responses towards service users with  a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Nursing Research and Practice, article ID 601918. 10 pages

Dowling, M, Cooney, A.  (2012) Research approaches related to phenomenology: Negotiating a complex landscape. Nurse Researcher. 20(2), 21-27

Cooney, A., O’Shea, E., Casey, D., Murphy, K., Dempsey, L., Smyth, S., Hunter, A., Murphy, E., Devane, D. & Jordan, F. (2012) Developing a structured education reminiscence-based programme for staff in long-stay care facilities in Ireland. Journal of Clinical Nursing. (In press).

Dempsey, L., Murphy, K., Cooney, A., Casey, D., O’Shea, E., Devane, D., Jordan, F. and Hunter, A. (2012) Reminiscence in dementia: A concept analysis. Dementia. doi:10.1177/1471301212456277

Stephens, P, Smyth S. (2012) Postnatal Depression; The experience of the PHN. Nursing in the community. Part 1 (In press)

Stephens, P, Smyth S. (2012) Postnatal Depression; The experience of the PHN. Nursing in the community. Part 2 (In press).

O' Shea, E., Murphy, K., Casey, D., Devane, D., Cooney, A., Jordan, F., Hunter, A. (2011) Effectiveness of a structured education reminiscence-based programme for staff on the quality of life of residents with dementia in long-stay units: A study protocol for a cluster randomised trial Trials BioMed Central's 2011, 12:4

Rossetti  J. & King, C. (2010). Use of Animal-Assisted Therapy with Psychiatric Patients: A Literature Review. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing, 48(11), 44-48

Cleary, A. & Dowling, M. (2010) Staff attitudes to recovery. The Psychiatrist34: 543

Hunter, A., Grealish, AM. & Dowling, M. (2010) Improving quality of life for adolescents with psychosis. Mental Health Practice. 13(7), 30-33.

McGuinness, D & O’ Donoghue, D. (2010). Dual substance and mental disorder, management challenges and treatment difficulties. Irish Psychologist.36(7), 162-169

Cleary, A. & Dowling, M. (2009) The road to recovery. Mental Health Practice.12(5): 28-31.

Cleary, A. & Dowling, M. (2009) Knowledge and attitudes of mental professionals in Ireland to the concept of recovery in mental health. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.16: 539-545

Mullers, E.S. & Dowling, M. (2008) Mental health consequences of child sexual abuse (CSA) British Journal of Nursing.17(22): 604-608.

Rossetti, J., DeFabiis, S., & Belpedio, C. (2008). Behavioral health staff’s perceptions of pet-assisted therapy. An exploratory study. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing.

Other journal publications

McInerney S., van Laar A., Bainbridge E., McDonald C. (2010) An evaluation of the Liaison Psychiatry Service provided in University Hospital Galway. National Institute of Health Sciences Research Bulletin. 5(4), 75-77.

Cleary, A. & Walsh, F. (2008) Teamwork: the way forward. Nursing in the CommunityMay/June: 30-31.

Book chapters

Dowling, M. (2011) Phenomenological research approaches: mapping the terrain of competing perspectives, in, Thompson, G., Dykes, F. &  Downe, S. (Editors) Qualitative Research in Midwifery and Childbirth:  Phenomenological Approaches, Routledge, Chapter 4, 55-78.

Tully, A. (2008) Explaining and treating anxiety disorders. In,  Morrissey, J., Doyle, L. and Keogh, B. edn. Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing: An Irish Perspective. Gill and MacMillan. Dublin.

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