What’s the project?
Adolescents sometimes go through tough times that might make them think about or engage in self-harm. We believe that sleep problems could play a role in this, but we need more information to fully understand how sleep affects these thoughts and behaviours. To gather this information, we are going to use a method called Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA), which helps us track people’s experiences and emotions in real-time, in their day-to-day lives.
However, previous studies using EMA have not involved young people and considered their input when creating these assessments. We’re working directly with young people to co-design an EMA process and hope to develop a better way to study how sleep disturbances are linked to self-harm risk.
The reason for this research is to find a better way to collect information about self-harm and sleep as they happen in real time, using the EMA method. Our main goal is to adjust and improve an EMA study design by:
- Determining the optimal number and timing of daily data collection – We want to find out how often and when it’s best to ask questions throughout the day.
- Developing the best ways to ask questions about self-harm and sleep – We aim to ensure that the questions are clear, easy to understand, and sensitive to your experiences.
- Establishing effective risk management and monitoring strategies – Safety is our top priority, so we will create a system that monitors and manages any risks associated with discussing sensitive topics like self-harm, ensuring the right support is available when needed.
By working directly with young people, we aim to create a user-friendly way of studying the link between sleep issues and self-harm.
This research has ethical approval from the University of Strathclyde Ethics Committee.
Find out more
You will be invited to participate in two workshops. In these workshops, we’ll discuss the best ways to develop and run an EMA study on sleep and self-harm. You will be invited to briefly test the EMA study for two days between these workshops to help think about the study in real life. This would include answering questions about your sleep, mood, self-harm thoughts & behaviours and information about where you are and who you are with, three times a day. After each workshop, you’ll be asked to complete a debrief questionnaire, which should take about 10 minutes.
There are no right or wrong answers during the workshops. We’ll ask for your opinions on whether the questions we’re developing are appropriate, easy to understand, and clear. We’ll also discuss how we can monitor risk and keep participants safe, how often and when to send assessments, and your general thoughts on the study design. You don’t have to answer any questions you don’t feel comfortable with, and you don’t have to share personal experiences if you prefer not to.
All workshops and activities will be arranged at times that suit you, and will take place at either the University of Strathclyde or online.
- Aged 16 to 24
- Personal experience of self-harm
- Must be based in the UK
Gain practical skills & experience in research, improve communication & collaborative abilities, and receive a certificate for your contributions.
Participation also provides a valuable opportunity to impact mental health research and contribute to understanding a critical issue affecting young people. It’s important to know that during the workshops, there’s a chance you may feel uncomfortable or upset, especially since we will be discussing topics related to self-harm. If this happens, you’ll always have the option to pause, take a break, or stop the discussion entirely.
Before the workshops, we will work with you to create a personal wellness plan. This plan will help us understand the best way to support you, and who you’d like us to contact if you feel overwhelmed. After each workshop, you will be provided with information about support services and where to get help if you need it. Individuals that have taken part in similar research valued the opportunity to help others and found it be a rewarding process.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please email Beth at [email protected] with brief answers to the following questions:
- What is your name?
- What is your date of birth?
- Are you based in the UK?
- Why are you interested in this specific opportunity?
You are welcome to send your responses in audio or video format if preferred. If you need any help completing your expression of interest, you can get in touch with Beth.
9am on 25th June 2025
Please note that the McPin Foundation regularly promotes opportunities on behalf of other institutions; we are not responsible for the continuation or contents of further correspondence with any project partners where we are not listed as the project main point of contact.
