Applying Linguistics To Explore Adult-Child Communication Within Child Psychotherapy : Designing An Approach To Inform Research And Practice

Objectives: Conversation Analysis of video-recordings will produce practice recommendations for interacting with children whose parents have a mental illness.Background: Supporting children to develop their own u2018voiceu2019 in healthcare is increasingly emphasised, however children of parents with mental illnesses may lack adult support in healthcare interactions. Enhancing practitioner-child communication is important to ensure these childrenu2019s needs are addressed. This project aims to understand the nature and possibilities of childrenu2019s participation in conversations about their concerns when their parent has a mental illness. This will inform the development of practice approaches within the Austrian u2018Village Projectu2019, How to raise a village to raise a child. Materials and Methods: This four-year project aims to enhance sensitive identification and strengthen support networks around these children. An underpinning philosophy is to hold the child at the centre of their own care, and listen to and assist them in identifying their own support networks.Results: Through close consultation with the clinical team, an approach was designed capitalising on investigatorsu2019 expertise in linguistics, child development, psychopathology, and sociology. This involves a series of sociological and linguistic micro-analyses (Conversation Analysis) across approximately 30 consultations between therapists and children in Marburg, Germany. Video-recordings are transcribed and translated into English, however German speakers are engaged in analysis to identify cultural nuances and support translations.Conclusion: Methodological approaches developed, and findings identified during this project, will inform the larger Village Project within the field of child mental health, importantly, addressing knowledge gaps in this area and driving practice change.