Understanding the Impacts and Experiences of Children Currently Experiencing Parental Imprisonment
Conditions: Parental Imprisonment
Sponsor: University of Nottingham

 
 
 
 
 
 
 UoN FMHS REC Qualitative/Quantitative Application Form protocol Version 1.0: 13.10.2021 
 
Page 1 of 34 
 
 
 
 
FMHS RESEARCH ETHICS COMMITTEE (REC) 
Ethics Application Form 
 
ONLY FULLY SIGNED (electronic) TYPE-WRITTEN APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED, BY EMAIL or 
SHARED via OneDrive 
 
Please complete this combined Form/Protocol template if your research study is using qualitative, quantitative 
or mixed or other methodology involving people and their data. 
 
 
 
STUDY DETAILS 
Full study title 
Understanding the impacts and experiences of children currently experiencing 
parental imprisonment 
Short title/Acronym 
IECPI 
FMHS REC reference 
 
Date and version number 
Version 1.0: 16.04.2025 
Principal Investigator 
Dr Elizabeth Paddock, Assistant Professor in Forensic Psychology, Faculty of 
Medicine & Health Sciences   
University email contact 
elizabeth.paddock@nottingham.ac.uk 
Student (if applicable) 
Miss Kyra Wardle, DForenPsy, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences   
University email contact 
kyra.wardle@nottingham.ac.uk 
University telephone 
contact 
 
Medically 
qualified/Healthcare 
professional collaborator 
(licensed 
doctor/registered 
nurse/Psychologist) 
N/A 
Sponsor 
The University of Nottingham 
Funder 
None 
Is this project a Collaboration with an external body? 
Is there an agreement in place? 
☐ Yes 
☐ Yes 
☒ No 
☒ No 
If yes to either of above please give more details here 
Will you submit or have you submitted this study to another ethics committee? 
☐ Yes 
☒ No 
If other relevant approvals for this research are required (e.g. from other universities’ ethics committees UK 
and overseas, overseas Institutional Review Boards) please include with the application and give more details 
below:  
 

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Declaration of any 
conflicts of interest 
None 
DBS Check 
Enhanced DBS completed as part of full-time role. Information available upon 
request. 
Do you have a Data 
Management Plan? 
The University expects a data management plan to be in place before a 
research project commences. Please see appendices.  
For further details see: Digital Research:  
Confidentiality statement 
This document contains confidential information that must not be disclosed to 
anyone other than the authorised individuals from the University of 
Nottingham, the Investigator Team and members of the Research Ethics 
Committee unless authorised to do so. 
 
 
RESEARCH TEAM 
Principal investigator (PI)/Researcher title, 
name, Job title  
Kyra Wardle  
DForenPsy Student  
Trainee Forensic Psychologist  
Lead Researcher 
Research Group 
Department/institute/School 
School of Medicine 
Centre for Forensic and Family Psychology 
Role in study 
Lead Researcher  
Training/qualification in Research Integrity 
and research ethics and experience relevant 
to the Proposed Research Activities 
BSc Psychology Degree 2020 (2:1). Dissertation published.  
MSc Forensic Psychology and Mental Health 2022 
(Distinction). Dissertation currently editing for publication.  
DForenPsy Forensic Psychology (current) 
Principal investigator (PI)/Researcher title, 
name, Job title  
Dr Elizabeth Paddock 
HCPC Registered Practitioner Psychologist 
Doctorate in Forensic Psychology Course Director 
Research Group 
Department/institute/School 
School of Medicine 
Centre for Forensic and Family Psychology 
Role in study 
Research Supervisor   
Training/qualification in Research Integrity 
and research ethics and experience relevant 
to the Proposed Research Activities 
 
 
 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 
Contents 
1. TABLE OF CONTENTS ....................................................................................................................... 3 
2. LAY SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................... 4 
3. SYNOPSIS ........................................................................................................................................... 5 
4. ABBREVIATIONS............................................................................................................................... 11 
5. BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE ................................................................................................... 12 
6. AIM / RESEARCH QUESTIONS / OBJECTIVES .............................................................................. 12 
7. STUDY DESIGN................................................................................................................................. 12 
8. PARTICIPANTS ................................................................................................................................. 18 
9. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS AND PARTICIPANT AND RESEARCHER SAFETY ...................... 24 
10. DATA MANAGEMENT SUMMARY .................................................................................................. 27 
11. STUDY MONITORING AND OVERSIGHT ...................................................................................... 29 
12. ETHICAL AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS ...................................................................... 29 
13. INSURANCE AND INDEMNITY ....................................................................................................... 29 
14. DISSEMINATION AND FEEDBACK OF STUDY OUTCOMES ....................................................... 30 
15. REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................. 30 
16. DECLARATIONS AND SIGNATURES ............................................................................................. 32 
17. AMENDMENT HISTORY ................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 
18. Useful links: ....................................................................................................................................... 33 
19. Check List .......................................................................................................................................... 34 
 
 
 

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LAY SUMMARY   
It is estimated that over 100,000 children in England and Wales are separated from their parents due to parental 
imprisonment (Aebi et al., 2023), now recognised as an adverse childhood experience that can have multifaceted 
challenges for the families and children associated (ACEs; Felitti et al., 1998).  
Separation from a parent under any circumstance can be experienced by a child as distressing and traumatic, 
however, researchers have likened the experience and impacts of parental imprisonment to losing a parent to 
death or divorce (Lowenstein, 1986). Parental imprisonment is an ambiguous loss for a child, and is often 
characterised by the sudden loss of an attachment figure, however, this is coupled with stigmatisation and 
discrimination associated with offending. A considerable research base focusing on the non-offending partners 
has highlighted that the imprisonment of a loved one can result in experiences of disenfranchised grief, 
stigmatisation, and symptoms of trauma (Duncan et al., 2022). It is possible that children may internalise the 
stigma attached to having a parent in prison, or the offence committed, which can result in low self-esteem, self-
worth, and increased isolation (McGinley et al., 2018), however, there remains scarce research focusing on 
children’s experiences of parental separation by imprisonment, and how they make sense of this.  
Utilising quantitative methods, research has found that parental imprisonment is associated with increased rates 
of mental health problems, major depression and attention disorders in comparison to the general population 
(Murray & Farrington, 2007). Similarly, research has found that following parental imprisonment, children 
experienced depression, difficulties attending and concentration in school, chronic sleeplessness, loneliness, 
increased substance misuse, and financial challenges (Arditti, 2016; Murray et al., 2012; Sack et al. 1987 as cited 
in Parke and Clarke-Stewart 2001). In comparison to the general population, prisoners are also more likely to 
have experienced socioeconomic disadvantages, mental health problems, and marital difficulties, which are all 
found to be risk factors for mental health problems in children.  Bulow (2014) supported this, suggesting that 
parental imprisonment has a disproportionate impact on children associated as a result of imprisonment 
magnifying existing social and economic disadvantages.  It is therefore possible that pre-existing factors to 
parental imprisonment impact on child outcomes, and that parental imprisonment acts as a catalyst (Dobbie et 
al., 2019).  
Despite a body of quantitative research attempting to understand the impacts of parental imprisonment on child 
outcomes (Murray, 2005), much is still unknown of a child’s own experiences of parental imprisonment. An 
emerging evidence base has utilised qualitative methods with children, finding contrasting results. In Noel and 
Hoeben’s (2022) research, children reported that parental imprisonment was a negative experience resulting in 
financial challenges, lack of support, and reduced academic opportunities, whilst others shared that parental 
imprisonment was a positive experience. Similarly, Muhammed (2011) in their study of interviews with children 
between 7 and 18 years with a parent in prison, found that the impacts described by children were different to 
how these were described by other’s surrounding the child. 

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It is clear from the evidence base that children impacted by parental imprisonment are not a homogenous group, 
and research is required to understand the experiences of parental imprisonment on a child, within the context 
of individual risk and protective factors.  
This research aims to understand the impacts, experiences, and support needs of children who are aged 16 years 
and above, currently experiencing parental imprisonment from their own perspective, and from the perspective 
of their non-offending parent/caregiver/guardian and a professional. This research will adopt a case study design. 
Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with the child experiencing parental imprisonment, and the non-
offending parent or caregiver. This research will also aim to recruit a professional working with the young person 
or family during parental imprisonment. This will be analysed interpretative phenomenological analysis. 
 
SYNOPSIS 
Type of Project 
DForenPsy Student project 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Qualitative methodology 
 
 
 
 
 
Study involving children (above 16 years old).  
List all sites where 
this study will be 
conducted 
Online semi-structured interviews conducted via Microsoft Teams 
Age range of study 
participants 
16 years and above.  
Sample size and 
groups 
This research aims to utilise a case study format. This research will aim to recruit a 
minimum of one case study, inclusive of a child (referring to an individual above 16 
years old, whose parent has been imprisoned) currently experiencing parental 
imprisonment, and their non-offending parent/caregiver or guardian. It is also hoped 
that this research will recruit one professional working with the child or family member.  
This research will therefore recruit a minimum of one case study (minimum of two 
participants per case study), and a maximum of five case studies.  
Study Participants, 
including sampling 
strategy 
Participants will be recruited through voluntary purposive sampling.  The research will 
be advertised on several social media platforms (including LinkedIn, Twitter, and 
Reddit), and organisational and charitable websites that work with families of those 
convicted of offences (including Children Heard and Seen, Safer Lives, Prison Advice 
Care Trust; PACT).  
Planned study 
duration 
6 months 
Anticipated start date 
Projected start date for study: following Ethics approval.  

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Projected start date for recruitment and data collection: following Ethics approval. 
Anticipated end date 
Projected end date: 01/01/2026 
 
Aim/Research Question 
Objectives 
Aim/Research 
Questions/Objectives 
 
1. What are the impacts and 
experiences of children 
currently experiencing parental 
imprisonment? 
2. What are the protective factors 
to parental imprisonment 
described by children currently 
experiencing this? 
3. How do the non-offending 
parents/carers/guardians 
understand the impact and 
experiences to children of 
having a parent in prison? 
4. What are the support needs of 
children experiencing parental 
imprisonment? 
 
1. To understand the impacts and 
experiences of children currently 
experiencing parental 
imprisonment. 
2. To understand the support needs 
of children experiencing parental 
imprisonment. 
3. To know if the impacts, 
experiences and support needs of 
children experiencing parental 
imprisonment are understood by 
caring figures. 
Study Design, 
including 
methodology 
This research utilises a case study design, whereby one child currently experiencing 
parental imprisonment, and their non-offending parent/caregiver/guardian will be 
recruited. This research will also aim to recruit a professional working with the child or 
family during parental imprisonment.  
Adult participants  
Adult participants refer to the non-offending parent/caregiver/guardian above 18 
years old. The research will consist of one-to-one interviews between the participants 
and the lead researcher. Participants will be asked to use their personal 
computer/laptop or phone to attend the interview via Microsoft Teams or Zoom. The 
date and time of the interview will be scheduled at conveniency for both the researcher 
and participant. The participants will be asked to complete the interview in a place they 
feel is safe and confidential. The interview will be semi-structured which will consist 
open questions and this is anticipated to take approximately 1 hour. The interview 
schedule is attached. 

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Child participants 
The research will consist of one-to-one interviews between the participants and the 
lead researcher. The research refers to children participants as individuals who are 
above 16 years old, and have a parent currently in prison. The children participants will 
be interviewed one-to-one. Participants will be asked to use their personal 
computer/laptop or phone to attend the interview via Microsoft Teams or Zoom. The 
date and time of the interview will be scheduled at conveniency for both the researcher 
and participant. The interview will be semi-structured which will consist open 
questions and this is anticipated to take approximately 1 hour. The interview schedule 
is attached. The interview will also utilise a timeline activity to promote engagement 
and discussion.  
Professional participants 
This refers to professionals working with the young person or family during parental 
imprisonment. The research will consist of one-to-one interviews between the 
participants and the lead researcher. Participants will be asked to use their personal 
computer/laptop or phone to attend the interview via Microsoft Teams or Zoom. The 
date and time of the interview will be scheduled at conveniency for both the researcher 
and participant. The participants will be asked to complete the interview in a place they 
feel is safe and confidential. The interview will be semi-structured which will consist 
open questions and this is anticipated to take approximately 1 hour. The interview 
schedule is attached. 
Analysis 
This research will be analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA; 
Smith et al., 2022). IPA is concerned with phenomenology, the study of subjective 
experience which aims to understand how people make sense of major life events. The 
current research will adopt an idiographic stance, that is interested in an individual’s 
experience and how they make sense of it. This research will also adopt a contextualist 
stance, which understands that stories can access’ participants perceptions and 
understanding of personal experiences, but that these are shaped by and embedded 
in the participants social context (Moller et al., 2021).  
This research focuses on the children’s experiences and impacts of parental 
imprisonment. Whilst IPA studies traditionally collect data from a sample with a shared 
experience, this research will also recruit the non-offending parents and professionals 
to provide their perspective of the child’s experiences and impacts. In the current 

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study, the child’s voices will be prioritised and analysed first and separate to that of 
adult and professional data.  
The analysis will adhere to the principles of interpretative phenomenological analysis 
as outlined by Smith et al., (2022). Careful consideration will be given to the order in 
which data is analysed. As this research focuses on the children’s voices and 
experiences, interviews completed with children will be analysed first to ensure that 
analysis of adult and professional data does not influence the interpretation.  
Purpose of tool to be 
used in this study 
The semi-structured interviews will be conducted using Microsoft Teams, which has 
been identified as the most appropriate online platform for participation.  
Additionally, child interviews will be supported using a timeline activity. Timelines have 
been used in previous qualitative research with children, and has been cited to be a 
useful resource in facilitating conversation, focusing a participant’s attention and 
recollection of events (King et al., 2019; Smith & Paddock, 2024). Furthermore, the use 
of timeline activities have been suggested to be helpful in building rapport with 
participants, mediating power imbalance, anticipated when working with children, and 
minimising distress that may be experienced by the participant when talking about 
difficult and distressing topics due to the refocus of their attention (Kolar et al., 2015).  
Potential problems 
posing a particular 
risk to participant 
and researcher. 
This research focuses upon personal experiences of children, and the non-offending 
parent/caregiver/guardian currently experiencing parental imprisonment. There is 
potential for this to cause for psychological distress given that this research focuses 
upon their own personal experiences. 
The research will take several precautions to minimise these risks: 
Participant Recruitment: 
• 
Participants will be provided with a full and comprehensive outline of the 
proposed study and what the questions might elicit.  Please see appendices.  
• 
The current research will be advertised on online platforms, local services, and 
by non-governmental organisations. Participants will be provided with services 
whom they can contact for support. 
 
Preliminary discussion with researcher: 
• 
Prior to partaking in this research, it will be requested that the participants 
attend a preliminary discussion with the researcher (preferably via call on 
Microsoft Teams, but also via email exchange). During this, the participant will 

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be encouraged to ask any questions they have about their involvement in this 
research. It will also seek to understand: 
o Participants’ current wellbeing and mental health. 
o The child participants’ understanding of their parent’s imprisonment 
and offence.  
o Ascertain if there is a professional that knows and works closely with 
the family/ child participant that can participate in the research (if 
there are, they will also be offered the same preliminary discussion as 
the adult participant). 
• 
During the preliminary discussion with the child participant, they will be 
offered an opportunity to request the non-offending parent to be present 
during the interview. 
 
In the preliminary discussions with the adult, child, and professional participants, the 
researcher will explain the current project: 
• 
The researcher will outline and explain the ability to withdraw from the study 
at any time without reason up until two weeks after the interview date.  
• 
The researcher will explain the themes and types of questions which will be 
asked within the interview.  
• 
The researcher will provide a warning to the participant that this research topic 
and area is sensitive and that if participants feel they are in a vulnerable place 
in their life, not doing too well and have any doubt that they would feel unable 
to cope, it will be advised that they do not participate in this research.  
• 
If participants who initially wanted to participate in this research, and after the 
preliminary discussion do not want to participate, the debrief form will still be 
provided. 
 
Participant Interview 
• 
At the time of the interview, the researcher will once again explain and outline 
the study and sensitive nature of such.  
• 
It will be reiterated that if they feel they are in a vulnerable place in their life, 
not doing too well or feel unable to cope, they will be advised to not partake 
in the study.  
• 
Participants will be reminded that throughout the interview they can break at 
any time and also withdraw, without the need for a reason. 

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• 
If participants would like to withdraw during the interview, the debrief form 
will still be provided.   
• 
Once the interview begins, the first couple of questions will be asked and the 
researcher will check in with the participant regarding how they are feeling and 
if they would like to continue.  
• 
A mandatory break will be provided halfway through the interview schedule.  
• 
The adult interview will be conducted prior to the child interview in order for 
the lead researcher to understand context. 
• 
Child interviews will be supported using a timeline activity. Timelines have 
been used in previous qualitative research with children, and has been cited to 
be a useful resource in facilitating conversation, focusing a participant’s 
attention and recollection of events (King et al., 2019; Smith & Paddock, 2024). 
Furthermore, the use of timeline activities have been suggested to be helpful 
in building rapport with participants, mediating power imbalance, anticipated 
when working with children, and minimising distress that may be experienced 
by the participant when talking about difficult and distressing topics due to the 
refocus of their attention (Kolar et al., 2015).  
 
After interviews 
• 
After each interview, or at any point of withdrawal, participants will be 
provided with information for access to support services, both specific and 
general and will be encouraged to access these.  
 
 
 
 

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ABBREVIATIONS 
 
DMP 
Data Management Plan 
FMHS 
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences 
GCP 
Good Clinical Practice 
GP 
General Practitioner 
ICF 
Informed Consent Form 
PI 
Principal Investigator 
PIS 
Participant Information Sheet 
SOP 
Standard Operating Procedure 
UoN 
University of Nottingham 
REC 
Research Ethics Committee 
PI 
Parental Imprisonment  
ACES-IQ 
Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire 
SC 
Story Completion 
 
 
 

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BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE 
 
 
AIM / RESEARCH QUESTIONS / OBJECTIVES  
Aim/Research questions 
1. What are the impacts and experiences of children currently experiencing parental imprisonment? 
2. What are the protective factors to parental imprisonment described by children currently experiencing this? 
3. How do the non-offending parents/carers/guardians understand the impact and experiences to children of 
having a parent in prison? 
4. What are the support needs of children experiencing parental imprisonment? 
Objectives 
1. To understand the impacts and experiences of children currently experiencing parental imprisonment. 
2. To understand the support needs of children experiencing parental imprisonment. 
3. To know if the impacts, experiences and support needs of children experiencing parental imprisonment are 
understood by caring figures. 
STUDY DESIGN 
Methodology 
Case Study Design  
Adult Interview 
The adult participant refers to the non-offending parent/ 
caregiver/ or guardian of the child participant. This research will 
consist of one-to-one semi-structured interviews between the 
adult participant and the lead researcher.  Participants will be 
asked to use their personal computer/laptop or phone to attend 
the interview via Microsoft Teams or Zoom. The date and time of 
the interview will be scheduled at conveniency for both the 
researcher and participant. The participants will be asked to complete the interview in a place they feel is safe and 
confidential. The interview will be semi-structured which will consist open questions and this is anticipated to take 
approximately 1 hour.  
 
Child Interview  
This research will consist of semi-structured interviews between the child participant and the lead researcher. 
Participants will be asked to use their personal computer/laptop or phone to attend the interview via Microsoft 

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Teams or Zoom. The date and time of the interview will be scheduled at conveniency for both the researcher and 
participant. The participants will be asked to complete the interview in a place they feel is safe and confidential. 
The interview will be semi-structured which will consist open questions and this is anticipated to take 
approximately 1 hour.  
Additionally, the interview schedule will be supported using a timeline activity. Timelines have been used in 
previous qualitative research with children, and has been cited to be a useful resource in facilitating conversation, 
focusing a participant’s attention and recollection of events (King et al., 2019; Smith & Paddock, 2024). 
Furthermore, the use of timeline activities have been suggested to be helpful in building rapport with participants, 
mediating power imbalance, anticipated when working with children, and minimising distress that may be 
experienced by the participant when talking about difficult and distressing topics due to the refocus of their 
attention (Kolar et al., 2015).  
 
Professional Interview 
The professional interview will consist of one-to-one semi-structured interviews between the professional 
participant and the lead researcher. The professional interview will be selected by the non-offending 
parent/carer/guardian participant. The non-offending parent/carer/guardian participant or child participant will 
be asked to forward the research poster to the professional who will then have the opportunity to contact the 
research if they want to participate in the current research.  
 
Analysis 
This research will be analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA; Smith et al., 2022). IPA is 
concerned with phenomenology, the study of subjective experience which aims to understand how people make 
sense of major life events. The current research will adopt an idiographic stance, that is interested in an individual’s 
experience and how they make sense of it. This research will also adopt a contextualist stance, which understands 
that stories can access’ participants perceptions and understanding of personal experiences, but that these are 
shaped by and embedded in the participants social context (Moller et al., 2021). The child interviews will be analysed 
first and separate to that of the adult and professional interview data.  
Sampling Strategy 
The non-offending parent/caregiver guardian and the child participant will be recruited through voluntary purposive 
sampling.  The research will be advertised on several social media platforms (including LinkedIn, Twitter, and 
Reddit), and organisational and charitable websites that work with families of those convicted of offences (including 
but not limited to Children Heard and Seen, Safer Lives, and Prison Advice Care Trust).  
The professional participant will be recruited via opportunity sampling. The non-offending parent/caregiver 
guardian participant will be encouraged to share the research poster with a professional that works with the 
family/young person who will then have the option to volunteer to partake in this research.  
 

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Methods of Data Collection 
The research will be advertised on online platforms using a poster. This research will be advertised on online 
platforms such as LinkedIn and Mumsnet. It will also be advertised by non-governmental organisations that work 
with families of prisoners, or those involved with the Criminal Justice System (for example, Lucy Faithfull Foundation 
and Prison Advice Care Trust). At the point of the adult or child participant contacting the researcher to partake in 
this research, the participant will ask for this research to be shared with either the adult or child interview. It will be 
requested that both the adult and child participants partake in this research.  The adult and child participant will be 
asked to volunteer for the research, and to provide consent.  
The research will utilise a case study design which aims to recruit a child currently experiencing parental 
imprisonment, and their non-offending parent/guardian/caregiver. This will research will also aim to recruit a 
professional working with the child/family during parental imprisonment, though not essential. This research will 
utilise qualitative methods via semi-structured interviews.   
The interviews will be conducted remotely via Microsoft Teams. The participants will be asked if they have access 
to these sites, a personal computer and are able to be in a private and quiet space during the interview. The 
researcher will also be in a quiet and private space. The interviews will be conducted via Teams and will be recorded 
using this function on Teams. The interviews will also be transcribed live using the online transcribing feature of 
Teams. This will be on a password protected laptop. The audio file will be password protected and saved as the 
participant number so that this is not identifiable. Demographics that are recorded will be stored separately, 
password protected and saved so that it is not identifiable. Once interviews are completed, the researcher will go 
through the recording and transcription to ensure that they are congruent. The transcription document will be 
password protected saved and stored securely on password protected device. During transcription, any identifiable 
information will be pseudonymised whereby they will be changed. Pseudonyms will be used in replacement of any 
identifiable information. This research will also utilise NVivo in the data analysis, a qualitative software which has 
been identified as adding validity to qualitative research (bringer et al., 2004). The data inputted into this software 
will be the pseudonymised formatted transcribed data.  
This research cannot be completely anonymous as in the dissemination of findings, direct quotes may be taken from 
the pseudonymised interviews. However, any information included will not be identifiable to an individual (including 
their name, geographical place etc). Furthermore, any direct quotes used will focus on their experiences rather than 
the individual themselves, and this will be referred to using a generated pseudonymised name.   
The adult, child, and professional interviews will be analysed using Interpretative Thematic Analysis separately to 
each other.  
 
 

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Adult Interview 
Demographic information will be sought from non-offending parent/ guardian/ caregiver participants, including: 
1. Age  
2. Gender 
3. Relationship to the child and individual in prison 
4. Gender of parent imprisoned 
5. Age their child experienced parental imprisonment  
6. Offence type 
7. Sentence Length 
8. What area they currently reside in 
9. What area the prison is based/ distance between current residence and prison 
The adult interview will be guided by a semi-structured interview schedule.  
 
Child Interview 
Demographic information will be sought from the child participant, including: 
10. Age  
11. Gender 
12. Age they experienced parental imprisonment 
13. Relationship to the parent in prison  
14. Age experienced parental imprisonment 
15. Offence type 
16. Sentence Length 
17. What area they currently reside in 
18. What area the prison is based/ distance between current residence and prison 
The child interview will be guided by a semi-structured interview schedule and utilise a timeline activity.  
 
Professional Interview 
Demographic information will be sought from the child participant, including: 
19. Age  
20. Gender 
21. Relationship to the child and individual in prison 
22. Job and support they provide to the child/family 
The professional interview will be guided by a semi-structured interview schedule.  
 
 

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Study Sequence and Duration 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Data Collection: 
1. The research will be advertised on social media platforms and by charitable or non-governmental 
organisations. 
2. Participants will be directed to contact the researcher to partake in this research.  
3. Participants will be requested to complete a short demographic questionnaire, provided with an 
information sheet, and asked to share information about the research with the adult or child participant.  
4. The participants will then be offered an opportunity to meet with the lead researcher for a preliminary 
discussion about this research, what to expect, and ask any further they question they have. This preliminary 
discussion can take place via Email, or over Microsoft Teams. Participants will be provided with a consent 
sheet.  
5. Following the adult and child participant interview, participants will be invited to share the research poster 
with a professional that works with the child or family to partake in the current research who can volunteer 
to partake.   
6. The professional participant will then be provided with information regarding the research and invited to a 
preliminary discussion. The professional participant will be invited for an interview with the researcher, 
following which they will be provided with information regarding support and debrief. 
 

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The research will be advertised until for approximately 6 months. The research aims to recruit a minimum of one 
case study. ‘One case study’ refers to at least one child participants and one non-offending parent/carer/guardian 
participant. 
Data Analysis 
1. The interviews will be recorded on Microsoft Teams and transcription services used. The interviews will 
then be pseudonymised and any identifiable information will be destroyed.  
2. The transcribed interviews will then be uploaded to NVivo for analysis and following all data collection.  
3. This research will be analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA; Smith et al., 2022). IPA 
is concerned with phenomenology, the study of subjective experience which aims to understand how 
people make sense of major life events.  
4. The analysis will adhere to the principles of interpretative phenomenological analysis as outlined by Smith 
et al., (2022). Careful consideration will be given to the order in which data is analysed. As this research 
focuses on the children’s voices and experiences, interviews completed with children will be analysed first 
to ensure that analysis of adult and professional data does not influence the interpretation. 
5. The child interviews will be analysed first and separate to that of the adult and professional interview data. 
Number of participants & group allocations 
This research utilises a case study design, that is inclusive of a child participant currently experiencing parental 
imprisonment and one adult participant whom is the non-offending parent/guardian/caregiver to the child. The 
research will also aim to recruit a professional working with the child or family impacted by parental imprisonment 
as part of the case study design, though not essential. 
This research utilises IPA to understand an individual’s major life event, and how they make sense of this. As such, 
IPA requires a small sample size. This research will recruit at least one case study, and a maximum of ten case 
studies.  
Methods of Data Analysis 
Quantitative 
The quantitative data collected will primarily be collecting demographic data.  
 
Qualitative  
Following qualitative data collection, the data will be pseudonymised and saved on a home-based password 
protected laptop. This research will be analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA; Smith et al., 
2022). IPA is concerned with phenomenology, the study of subjective experience which aims to understand how 
people make sense of major life events. The current research will adopt an idiographic stance, that is interested in 
an individual’s experience and how they make sense of it. This research will also adopt a contextualist stance, which 
understands that stories can access’ participants perceptions and understanding of personal experiences, but that 
these are shaped by and embedded in the participants social context (Moller et al., 2021).  
 

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The analysis will adhere to the principles of interpretative phenomenological analysis as outlined by Smith et al., 
(2022). Careful consideration will be given to the order in which data is analysed. As this research focuses on the 
children’s voices and experiences, interviews completed with children will be analysed first to ensure that analysis 
of adult and professional data does not influence the interpretation. The child interviews will be analysed first and 
separate to that of the adult and professional interview data.  
 
This research will also utilise NVivo in the data analysis, a qualitative software which has been identified as adding 
validity to qualitative research (Bringer et al., 2004). The data inputted into this software will be the pseudonymised 
data. Analysis of the data will be conducted on a home-based laptop, that is password protected. Each of the files 
will be password protected also. 
 
PARTICIPANTS 
Description of study participants 
Child Participants 
Participants of this research will be aged above 16 years old. They will currently be experiencing parental 
imprisonment.  
Adult Participants 
This refers to the non-offending parent/career/guardian to the child currently experiencing parental imprisonment. 
The participant will above aged 18 years old and the carer/parent/guardian to the child participant.  
Professional participants 
The professional participant refers to a professional working with the young person or family during parental 
imprisonment. They will be above 18 years old and currently working with the family during parental imprisonment.  
This research will aim to recruit a minimum of one child participant and one adult participant.  
Inclusion criteria 
Adult Participant 
• 
Is the parent/caregiver/guardian to a child (above 16 years old) currently experiencing parental 
imprisonment 
• 
Participants are based in the UK (England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland), and have experienced 
parental imprisonment whilst in the UK. 
Child Participant 
• 
Child participants are above 16 years old at the time of data collection.  
• 
Child participants are currently experiencing parental imprisonment.  
• 
Participants are based in the UK (England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland), and have experienced 
parental imprisonment whilst in the UK.  
 

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Professional Participant 
• 
Is a professional working with, or previously worked with the family or child impacted by parental 
imprisonment 
• 
Has worked with the family or child impacted by parental imprisonment for at least one month. 
• 
Participants are based in the UK (England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland), and have experienced 
parental imprisonment whilst in the UK.  
Exclusion criteria 
Adult Participant 
• 
Are the parent of the child participant who was imprisoned.  
• 
Not the current caregiver/guardian/parent to the child participant 
Child Participant 
• 
Child participants are the direct victim of their parental offence. 
• 
The child participant is aware of their parent’s offence and imprisonment. 
• 
Below 16 years old at the time of data collection. 
Professional Participant 
• 
Professional participant is aware that the child’s parent is in prison 
Recruitment 
Adult and child participants will be recruited through voluntary purposive sampling.  The research will be advertised 
on several social media platforms (including LinkedIn, Twitter, and Reddit), and organisational and charitable 
websites that work with families of those convicted of offences (including but not limited to Children Heard and 
Seen, Safer Lives, and Prison Advice Care Trust).  
It will be requested that the adult and child participant contacts the lead researcher to volunteer to partake in this 
research. If the child participant contacts the researcher to participate, it will be requested that they share the 
research with the adult participant to volunteer to partake. If the adult participant contacts the researcher to 
participate, it will be requested that they share the research with the child participant to volunteer to partake. It 
will be requested that both the child and adult participant partake in this research to provide a case study design.  
The professional participant will be recruited via opportunity sampling. The non-offending parent/caregiver 
guardian participant will be encouraged to share the research poster with a professional that works with the 
family/young person who will then have the option to volunteer to partake in this research.  
Verbal and written consent will be collected from all  participants researcher via informed consent sheet, and at the 
interview. After interviews with the participants, all participants will be provided with a debrief and provided with 
support services to access.  
Screening and eligibility assessment 
Participants will be recruited through voluntary purposive sampling.  The research will be advertised on several 
social media platforms (including LinkedIn, Twitter, and Reddit), and organisational and charitable websites that 

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work with families of those convicted of offences (including Children Heard and Seen, Safer Lives, Prison Advice Care 
Trust; PACT).  
A demographic questionnaire will be administered as a pre-screening assessment at the beginning of the research 
to ensure that they fit the inclusion and exclusion criteria. If they do not fit the criteria at the time of data collection, 
they will be directed to exit the research.  
Participants will also be provided about information of the research in the preliminary discussions. As part of this, 
the sensitive nature of this research will be described and explained. If participants feel that they are in a vulnerable 
place at the time of data collection, and unable to cope with the line of questions in this research, they will be 
directed to support services and to exit the research.  
Information provided to participants 
Participants will be provided with information regarding this research, including the type of questions that will be 
asked, and aims of the research. First, the research will be advertised using a poster which will outline the aims of 
the research explicitly, and what type of questions the research might ask.  
 
Adult and Child Participant 
Initially, the research will be advertised on online social media platforms and charitable organisations using a poster 
and a link to express interest in the current research (please see appendices). The poster will include information 
regarding the title of the research, and it’s aims. Participants will be directed to email the researcher, or directed to 
access a link whereby they will be invited to input their name and email for the researcher to contact them.  
Once the participant has contacted the lead researcher, the participant will be provided with an informed consent 
sheet. Please see appendices. Again, this provides information about the current research. From reading this 
consent sheet, participants can express interest to participate in the research through contacting the researcher 
directly via email. Informed consent will be documented by asking for participants to sign the informed consent 
sheet.  
The participant will also have the opportunity to ask any questions they have about the research before deciding to 
participate within the preliminary discussion, offered to all participants. Within this preliminary discussion the 
researcher will explain the study, the type of questions and themes which may be asked throughout the interview. 
A further understanding of the interview and its sensitive nature will be provided.  
Participants will further be directed to the researcher’s email address if there are any further questions before 
partaking in the research. 
At the start of the scheduled interview, the researcher will read out the informed consent sheet to the participant 
and ask for the participants understanding of this research. Both written and verbal consent will be sought.   
They will also be provided with a debrief of the current research, including their right to withdraw, and information 
to access support. 

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Professional participant 
The same information and process as the adult participant will be adhered to with the professional participant. They 
will also be provided with a debrief of the current research, including their right to withdraw, and information to 
access support.  
Informed Consent 
Informed consent will be obtained on several occasions throughout this research. Informed consent will be sought 
from all participants prior to, during, and following participating in the current research.  
Participant confidentiality 
This research will not store or record any identifiable information.  
This study will safeguard the privacy of participants’ personal data, and comply with the General Data Protection 
regulation (GDPR) Data Protection Act 2018, which requires all personal data to be anonymised as soon as it is  
practical to do so.  
Participants are requested to email the research to partake in this research, and thereby the participants name and 
email address will be known to the researcher. Once the participant has consented to a study, they will be allocated 
a pseudonym by which they will be referred there forward in documentation. The document of participant 
information and consent forms will be contained within a password protected file and saved on a password 
protected home-based computer. Once all participants have been recruited, this file (containing participant 
information and consent forms) will be removed from the researcher’s laptop. For participants that expressed an 
interest but did not participate (either through choice or being found unsuitable) basic demographic information 
will be kept in addition for reason for not participating, but all identifiable information (such as name and contact 
details) will be deleted. 
 
The interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams and will be audio recorded using this function on Teams. The 
interviews will also be transcribed live using the online transcribing feature of Teams. This will be on a password 
protected laptop. The audio file will be password protected and saved as the pseudonym which was allocated to 
them following consent. Once the interview has been completed, the researcher will go through the recording and 
transcription to ensure that they are congruent. The transcription document will be password protected saved also, 
and stored securely on password protected device. During transcription, any identifiable information will be 
pseudonymised whereby they will be changed to their assigned pseudonym. Pseudonyms will be used in 
replacement of any identifiable information.  
This research will also utilise NVivo in the data analysis, a qualitative software which has been identified as adding 
validity to qualitative research (bringer et al., 2004). The data inputted into this software will be the pseudonymised 
formatted transcribed data.  
This research cannot be completely anonymous as in the dissemination of findings, direct quotes may be taken from 
the pseudonymised interviews. However, any information included will not be identifiable to an individual (including 

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their name, geographical place etc). Furthermore, any direct quotes used will focus on their experiences rather than 
the individual themselves, and this will be referred to using a generated pseudonymised name.    
It is also worth noting that what is discussed in each individual interview, will not be shared with any other 
participants that partake in this research. At the beginning of interviews with participants, it will be explained that 
any information that is disclosed during the interview that would suggest a risk of harm to themselves, or another 
person will need to be disclosed to the appropriate persons (e.g. Police, Local Safeguarding Teams, 111, or the 
parent if disclosed by the child).  
Incentive 
At the end of completing the qualitative and quantitative data, participants will be invited to voluntarily provide 
their email address to enter a raffle to win a voucher of £15 (one of four vouchers) for their participation. 
Participants’ email addresses will be stored in a file stored separately to data collected for this research. This file 
will be password protected. Following data collection, the raffle will be run and the winning participants will be 
contacted via email to provide the gift card. All emails will then be deleted and destroyed from the computer 
systems.  
 
 
Discontinuation/ withdrawal of participants from study 
Participants will be able to withdraw from the study at any point prior to attending interview with the lead 
researcher. Their right to withdraw from the study will be and/or can be without reason. Participants will be 
informed of their right to withdraw in the informed consent sheet, during preliminary discussion, and during the 
interview.  
Following the interview, participants will be provided with a debrief. It will be outlined that participants can 
withdraw from their involvement in the current study up to two weeks after partaking in this research without 
needing a reason. Once two weeks (14 days) from the day of interview have passed, participants will be unable to 
withdraw from this study. Participants will be informed of this.  
Definition of end of study 
Adult participant 
The end of participant involvement will be after the adult and child interview with the lead researcher has 
finished.   
Child participant 
The end of participant involvement will be after the interview with the lead researcher has finished.   
Professional participant 
The end of participant involvement will be after the interview with the lead researcher has finished.   
 

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Expenses and benefits 
Not applicable.     
 
 
 

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ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS AND PARTICIPANT AND RESEARCHER SAFETY 
Most research carries the risk of some ethical challenge. If this is the case, you need to demonstrate your 
awareness of the problem and your response to mitigate ethical objections. There is a free text box below to detail 
any study specific ethical issues, however the following areas are often a cause for concern: 
 
 Please indicate which of the below criteria apply to your project. 
 
 
 
 
 
Yes 
No 
Research projects that give rise to evident and significant risk of reputational damage to, or legal liability 
on the part of, the Researcher or the University of Nottingham. 
 
X 
 
Procedures where the probability and magnitude of harm or discomfort anticipated in the research 
project are greater in and beyond those ordinarily encountered in daily life or during the performance 
of routine physical or psychological examinations or tests.  
 
X 
 
Procedures the nature of which might be offensive, distressing or deeply personal for the target group. 
This may include surveys and questionnaire-only research designs. 
X 
 
The research may be personal for participants as it asks participants to share their experiences of parental 
imprisonment. The research has aimed to reduced the anticipated distress experienced by the participant by 
providing information about the true aims and content of the research.  
Research projects that involve children under the age of 16 or other vulnerable groups.  
X 
 
This research aims to recruit child aged 16 years or above who currently have a parent in prison. It will also aim to 
recruit the non-offending parent, caregiver, or guardian to the child, and a professional working with the family or 
child participant. The available evidence base suggests that the experience of parental imprisonment may expose 
an individual to adverse experiences and several collateral consequences, thereby making this a vulnerable 
population. 
The child participant will be offered to complete the interview in the presence of the adult participant. 
Research projects involving prisoners or young offenders.  
 
X 
 
Research projects involving police, probation services, or those involved in the criminal justice system. 
 
X 
 

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Research projects that involve those who may feel under pressure to take part due to their connection 
with the researcher (e.g. PI asking their students to participate in their research project or a researcher 
asking the people they manage to take part in their research). 
 
X 
 
Research designs requiring participants to take part in the research project without their knowledge 
and/or consent at the time and research projects that involve deception or withholding information from 
research participants even if the research participants are briefed afterwards. 
 
X 
 
Research projects accessing records and/or the collection of personal data, concerning identifiable 
individuals as defined by data protection legislation. 
 
X 
 
Research projects involving the linking or sharing of personal data, special category data (Sensitive 
data) or confidential information beyond the initial consent given. 
 
X 
 
Research projects involving the collection or access of audio, video recordings, photographs or 
quotations where individuals may be identified (beyond images that are in the public domain and are 
being used in their intended context e.g. photographs of politicians). 
X 
 
It is important to note that the dissemination of findings is expected to include quotations from the qualitative story 
stem data. However, this will be in pseudonymised format (any information included will not be identifiable to the 
individual including their name, geographical place etc) and will only focus on their narratives and experiences.   
Research projects offering incentives which may unduly influence participants’ decision to participate. 
X 
 
Participation in this research study will be incentivised with the chance to win one of four £15 Love2Shop 
vouchers. This will be advertised to participants on the posters and leaflets created. At the end of completing the 
qualitative and quantitative data, participants will be invited to voluntarily provide their email address to enter a 
raffle to win a voucher for their participation. This incentive may influence a participants’ decision to participate in 
the current study, however, it is optional to enter the raffle. Participants will also be asked to provide their email 
address at the end of research completion to reduce any potential undue influence.  
Research projects that are likely to lead to incidental findings or disclosures.  
 
X 
 
Research projects carried out by third parties wishing to recruit University of Nottingham’s staff and/or 
students as participants 
 
X 
 
Research projects involving the new collection or donation of human tissue from a living person or the 
recently deceased as defined by the Human Tissue Authority (HTA). 
 
X 

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Research projects which had previously received a favourable ethical opinion (FEO) but had not 
started within a year of the FEO.  
 
X 
 
Research projects which had previously received an FEO but have not been completed within five 
years of the FEO date. 
 
X 
 
Research projects involving travelling to countries/regions against the advice of the British Foreign 
Commonwealth Office. 
 
X 
 
Research Projects involving data collection outside the UK (except at UoN international campuses). 
 
X 
 
Research projects involving activities or the outcome of which may pose a security risk or may be 
perceived to pose a security risk. i.e. Counter-Terrorism and Security Act (Prevent Duty guidance), 
which seeks to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism? 
 
X 
 
Research projects involving activities that could potentially compromise the safety/wellbeing of the 
researcher. 
 
X 
 
Please give details of any other study-specific ethical and/or safety considerations 
 
 
Additional Checks:  
Does the research involve fieldwork or data collection off campus? 
☐ Yes      ☒ No 
If yes, please confirm that a Risk Assessment has been completed and signed off by the appropriate Safety 
Officer/Supervisor. 
☐ I confirm  
Is the research project going to be conducted outside the UK or involves international partners? 
☐ Yes      ☒ No 

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Please confirm all relevant permissions (including where applicable Non-UK REC approval/Favourable 
Ethical Opinion) have been or will be in place before the relevant research activities commence. 
☐ I confirm  
 
 
DATA MANAGEMENT SUMMARY 
 
 Who will have access to the research data? 
The primary researcher (Kyra Wardle, DForenPsy Student) 
and supervising researcher (Dr Elizabeth Paddock) will have 
access to the data. The research supervisor will have access to 
the data over the University of Nottingham secure server.  
 
Direct access will be granted to authorised representatives 
from the University of Nottingham and any host institution for 
monitoring and/or audit of the study to ensure compliance 
with regulations. 
How will research data be stored? 
The research will be stored on a password protected home-
based laptop, and also be password protected.  
 
The data collected from participants will be stored securely on 
a home-based password protected laptop. These file names 
will be saved as the participant number provided to each 
participant so that this is not identifiable, and will also be 
password protected.  
 
As this research utilises semi-structured interviews, it is 
possible that the participant will share identifiable personal 
information during the interview. If the qualitative data 
includes any identifiable or personal information, this will be 
pseudonymised immediately following the interview. The 
pseudonymised data will be stored securely on a password 
protected device, and the document itself will be password 
protected and saved as the participant’s number. The 
identifiable qualitative information will be destroyed as soon 
as this is pseudonymised. 

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At the end of completing the qualitative and quantitative 
data, participants will be invited to voluntarily provide their 
email address to enter a raffle to win a voucher for their 
participation. Participants’ email addresses will be stored in a 
file stored separately to data collected for this research. Their 
email address will be stored separately to their unique 
identification number and data collected as part of this 
research. This file will also be password protected. Following 
data collection, the raffle will be ran and the winning 
participants will be contacted via email to provide the gift 
card. All emails will then be deleted and destroyed from the 
computer. 
How long will research data be stored for? 
The data will be stored for the minimum retention period of 7 
years following the end of the study, in line with the University 
of Nottingham’s retention period requirements.  
What will be done with the research data at the 
end of the storage period? 
At the end of the storage period, the research data will be 
destroyed and deleted.   
Who will have access to the participants’ 
personal data? 
The primary researcher (Kyra Wardle, DForenPsy Student) 
How will personal data be stored? 
The data collected from participants will be stored securely on 
a home-based password protected laptop. These file names 
will be saved as the participant number provided to each 
participant so that this is not identifiable. These files will also 
be password protected.  
 
As this research utilises online survey methods, no identifiable 
information will be stored. Participants’ demographic 
information and qualitative data will be saved as their 
participant number.  
How long will personal data be stored for? 
To comply with the Data Protection Act, personal data will be 
deleted as soon as possible after it is no longer needed for the 
study. 
Describe method(s) of research data 
entry/management 
All demographic data will be entered on an Excel spreadsheet. 
The participants will be identified by a unique study specific 
number and/or code in any database. Their name or any 

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other identifying detail will NOT be included in any study data 
electronic file.  
 
Qualitative data will be stored on NVivo for analysis. Only the 
pseudonymised transcripts will be uploaded to NVivo for 
analysis. The participants will be identified by a unique study 
specific number and/or code in any database. Their name or 
any other identifying detail will NOT be included in any study 
data electronic file. 
 
 
STUDY MONITORING AND OVERSIGHT 
Who will be responsible for day-to-day supervision of the study? 
Primary Researcher (Kyra Wardle, DForenPsy Student) 
Give information about frequency of meetings that will be held to discuss progress/problems. Who will be 
present at the meetings? 
The primary researcher (Kyra Wardle, DForenPsy Student) and research supervisor (Dr Elizabeth Paddock) will 
meet on a monthly basis to discuss progress and any problems with the current research project.  
 
ETHICAL AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS 
 
Declaration of Helsinki 
The PI will ensure that this study is conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of 
Helsinki. 
 
Research Ethics review and favourable opinion 
This form, an informed consent form, a participant information sheet(s) and any proposed advertising 
material will be submitted to the UoN FMHS REC for written Favourable ethics Opinion (FEO). The 
research team will submit and, where necessary, obtain approval from the UoN FMHS REC and any other 
above-mentioned parties for all amendments to the original documents given an FEO. 
 
End-of-Study Report 
The PI shall request, complete and submit an end-of-study report to the UoN FMHS REC within 6 months 
of the study end (participant involvement). 
INSURANCE AND INDEMNITY 
Insurance and indemnity for University employees, its agents and students conducting University business is 
provided through several policies and will respond in the event of a successful litigious claim for proven negligent 
harm. 
 

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DISSEMINATION AND FEEDBACK OF STUDY OUTCOMES 
 
The results of this research will be disseminated as a DForenPsy Research Thesis and be considered for 
publication. The results of this research will also be shared with a Viva panel board, as part of the requirements 
of this course.  
 
As this research will utilise the support of Charitable Organisations for the recruitment of participants, if 
requested, the final research thesis will be shared with them.  
 
REFERENCES 
Aebi, M., & Cocco, E. (2023). Map 1. Prison population rates (number of inmates per 100,000 inhabitants) on. 31 
Barnardo’s (2016) Children of prisoners. A guide for community health professionals [online]. Essex: Barnardo’s. 
Available from: https://www.nicco.org.uk/userfiles/downloads/5ae18e3dd0bb4-767-i-hophealth-
guide.pdf 
Beresford, S., Loucks, N., & Raikes, B. (2020). The health impact on children affected by parental 
imprisonment. BMJ paediatrics open, 4(1), e000275.  
Bowlby, J. (1973). Attachment and Loss 
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006, January). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in 
Psychology.  
Braun, V., Clarke, V., Hayfield, N., Frith, H., Malson, H., Moller, N., & Shah-Beckley, I. (2019). Qualitative story 
completion: Possibilities and potential pitfalls. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 16(1), 136–155. 
Bringer, J. D., Johnston, L. H., & Brackenridge, C. H. (2004). Maximizing Transparency in a Doctoral Thesis1: The 
Complexities of Writing About the Use of QSR*NVIVO Within a Grounded Theory Study. Qualitative 
Research, 4(2), 247–265. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468794104044434 
Bülow, W. 2014. “The Harms beyond Imprisonment: Do We Have Special Moral Obligations towards the Families 
and Children of Prisoners?.” Ethical Theory and Moral Practice 17 (4): 775–89. 
Clarke, V., & Braun, V. (2013, March). Successful qualitative research: A practical guide for beginners. 
ResearchGate; Sage.  
Clarke, V., Hayfield, N., Moller, N., Tischner, I., & undefined, undefined. (2017). Once Upon a Time …: Qualitative 
Story Completion Methods (D. Gray, V. Clarke, & V. Braun, Eds.). Cambridge University Press; Cambridge 
University Press.  
Dobbie, W., H. Grönqvist, S. Niknami, M. Palme, and M. Priks. 2019. The Intergenerational Effects of Parental 
Incarceration. Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy. Working Paper 2019: 24. 
Felitti, V. J., Anda, R. F., Nordenberg, D., Williamson, D. F., Spitz, A. M., Edwards, V., Koss, M. P., & Marks, J. S. 
(1998). Relationship of Childhood Abuse and Household Dysfunction to Many of the Leading Causes of 
Death in Adults. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14(4), 245–258. 

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Gavin, H. (2005). The Social Construction of the Child Sex Offender Explored by Narrative. 
https://eprints.hud.ac.uk/id/eprint/9504/1/gavin.pdf 
Jaffee S, Moffitt T, Caspi A, Taylor A. “Life With (or Without) Father: The Benefits of Living With Two Biological 
Parents Dependent on the Father’s Antisocial Behavior” Child Development. 2003;74:109–26 
Lam, L., & Comay, J. (2020). Using a Story Completion Task to Elicit Young children’s Subjective Well-Being at 
School. Child Indicators Research.  
Lotto, L. S., Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1986). Qualitative Data Analysis: A Sourcebook of New 
Methods. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 8(3), 329.  
Lowenstein, Ariela. (1986). Temporary Single Parenthood--The Case of Prisoners' Families. Family Relations. 35. 
10.2307/584286. 
Manby, M., Jones, A. D., Foca, L., Bieganski, J., & Starke, S. (2014). Children of prisoners: exploring the impact of 
families’ reappraisal of the role and status of the imprisoned parent on children’s coping 
strategies. European Journal of Social Work, 18(2), 228–245.  
McGinley, M. and Jones, C. (2018) Growing Up with Parental Imprisonment: Children's Experiences of Managing 
Stigma, Secrecy and Shame. Practice [online]. 30 (5), pp. 341-357 
Moller, Naomi & Clarke, Victoria & Braun, Virginia & Tischner, Irmgard & Vossler, Andreas. (2021). Qualitative 
Story Completion for Counseling Psychology Research: A Creative Method to Interrogate Dominant 
Discourses. Journal of Counseling Psychology. 
Moore, S. M., Gullone, E., & Kostanski, M. (1997). An examination of adolescent risk-taking using a story 
completion task. Journal of Adolescence, 20(4), 369–379.  
Murray, J., & Farrington, D. (2008a). The Effects of Parental Imprisonment on Children.  
Murray, J., & Farrington, D. P. (2008b). PROTOCOL: Parental Imprisonment: A systematic review of its effects on 
child antisocial behavior, crime and mental health. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 4(1), 1–44.  
Oppenheim, D., Emde, R. N., Hasson, M., & Warren, S. (1997). Preschoolers face moral dilemmas: A longitudinal 
study of ackowledging and resolving internal conflict. International Journal of Psycho-Analysis, 9(1), 1–9. 
Reeves, C. (2016) Experiencing imprisonment: research on the experience of living and working in carceral 
institutions [online]. London: Routledge. 
World Health Organization. (2020, January 28). Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE-
IQ).  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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DECLARATIONS AND SIGNATURES 
 
I/We, the researcher(s): 
• Understand our responsibilities in line the University of Nottingham Code of Research Conduct and Research 
Ethics and UoN Policies and Guidance 
• Understand that, for studies conducted outside the UK, it is my/our responsibility to understand and adhere to 
all local regulations and guidelines and will ensure all required permissions are in place before any relevant 
Research activities commence 
• The research project activities will not commence before obtaining favourable ethical opinion from FMHS  REC 
and any other relevant permissions 
• Understand the Principal Investigator must ensure all researchers are suitably qualified and trained to conduct 
the research described, or are appropriately supervised until deemed qualified/trained 
• Agree to maintain the confidentiality of the research participants and will grant access to data only to 
authorised persons. 
• Agree to immediately notify the REC in writing of any proposed change to the research as outlined in this 
application and await approval before proceeding with the proposed change 

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• Make arrangement to stop the research project if the Principal Investigator changes and notify the REC of the 
successor 
• Will use the data collected only for the purposes outlined in this application and participants have consented to 
• Have made arrangements to ensure that personal data collected from participants will be held in compliance 
with the requirements of the GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. 
Useful links: 
1. Code of Research Conduct and Research Ethics 
2. Reading the following Code of Practice for Research Ethics Committees should give you a clear 
understanding of the review criteria used to assess research projects and help you plan your study. Code 
of Practice for Research Ethics Committees  
 
3. UKRIO Recommended Checklist for Researchers  
4. Access and Benefits Sharing and Nagoya Protocol 
5. UoN Information Security and Compliance Team – for advice on using personal data and GDPR 
https://uniofnottm.sharepoint.com/sites/InformationSecurityandCompliance/ 
6. Research Misconduct  
7. International Research and Research Ethics Research Conduct in an International context 
8. Research Integrity Bytes: one pagers addressing common issues and questions raised by researchers in 
all fields. The bytes are written to give researchers a starting point when considering issues that may 
impact the integrity of their research. 
9. Research projects involving NHS patients and/or staff  and/or their data: see the Research Governance 
workspace pages 
10. UoN Safeguarding Resources  a plan needs to be in place if something of concern is likely to be raised 
11. Create a secure online survey 
https://uniofnottm.sharepoint.com/sites/DigitalResearch/SitePages/Surveys.aspx  
12. Automated Transcription Service 
https://uniofnottm.sharepoint.com/sites/DigitalResearch/SitePages/Automated-Transcription.aspx  
13. Cyber Essentials Secure SharePoint 
https://uniofnottm.sharepoint.com/sites/DigitalResearch/SitePages/Secure-SharePoint--Cyber-
Essentials.aspx  
14. Digital Research Planning, Data storage, Process & analyse, Promote & archive.  
15. Insurance Team:  https://uniofnottm.sharepoint.com/sites/Insurance2 

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Check List  
• 
Data management Plan (your application cannot be reviewed without one) 
• 
Participant Information Sheet 
• 
Consent Form  
• 
Poster, invite e-mails, draft of text to be used in social media- note: monetary amounts should not be stated 
• 
Letters of permission from gatekeepers, outside institutions, where applicable 
• 
Copy of proposed questionnaire and web link if online where applicable 
• 
Outline of interviews or focus group discussions including online material instructions where applicable 
• 
Plan of action in case there is a problem or something of concern is raised. 
• 
Demographic questionnaires or other relevant additional materials where applicable 
• 
For Research being conducted overseas: an outline of the research ethics regulations, local laws and permissions 
required.   Cultural setting and context should be included in the section of the form 
• 
Any additional relevant information i.e., translations into other languages, large print for visually impaired  
 
Please submit form and supporting documents by e-mail as attachments to: 
 FMHS-ResearchEthics@nottingham.ac.uk