Understanding gender-responsive needs of girls in the Children and Young People Secure Estate (CYPSE): menstrual cycle considerations
| Date | 16 July 2024 |
| Pages | 288-300 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/MHRJ-11-2023-0067 |
| Published date | 16 July 2024 |
| Author | Robyn Lee,Annette McKeown,Jessica Graham,Yussra Hajaji,Patrick J. Kennedy |
Understanding gender-responsive needs
of girls in the Children and Young People
Secure Estate (CYPSE): menstrual
cycle considerations
Robyn Lee, Annette McKeown, Jessica Graham, Yussra Hajaji and Patrick J. Kennedy
Abstract
Purpose –The current study aimed to examine the population of girls in two secure children’s homes
(SCHs) in the North East of England to considerthe impact of menstruation on girls’ physical, mental and
emotional wellbeing withinsecure settings. Gender-responsive approachesand understanding gender
differencesare central to trauma-informed provisionwithin the Children and Young People SecureEstate
(CYPSE). Whilst trauma-informed approaches are central, it could be argued that basic gender
differences,such as the menstrual cycle, are currentlybeing overlooked within researchand practice.
Design/methodology/approach –A case file audit examined documentation of 24 girls who were
admittedacross both sites between January 2022 and January2023.
Findings –Of the sample (n¼24),50% had information recorded regarding their menstrualcycle during
admission assessments.Six girls (25%) disclosed experiencingirregular menstruation.Painful cramping
was noted by twogirls (8%). One girl (4%) disclosed heavy bleeding,and menorrhagia (abnormal heavy
bleeding) was reported for one further girl (4%). One girl (4%) disclosed early onset menarche. Case
formulations tended to focusless on girls’ menstrual cycles or the potential impact of this on wellbeing.
However, 100% of case formulations considered the potential impact of trauma and/or disrupted
attachmenton girls’ presentations.
Originality/value –The results indicate the impact of menstrual cycles on girls’ physical, mental and
emotional wellbeingmay benefit from much further consideration. Implications are presented alongside
directionsfor future research.
Keywords Menstrual cycle, Girls, CYPSE, Gender responsive
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Young people in the Children and Young People Secure Estate (CYPSE) often experience
histories of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and complex trauma (Baglivio et al.,
2015). Trauma-informed care approaches are critical in the effective care and treatment of
young people in these settings (Forkey et al., 2021;Martin et al.,2021).There is also
increasing understanding of the importance of gender-responsive approaches in these
settings with particular emphasis on trauma and mental health needs (e.g. Bloom and
Covington, 2001;Day et al., 2015;Khan et al., 2021). Developing a greater understanding
of young people’s journeysinto and experience of these settings is particularly important.
Although there tends to be a higherpopulation of boys within youth justice provision,
research indicated that girls make up approximately 64% of welfare admissions to secure
children’s homes (SCHs), 65% of Mental Health Act (1983) detentions and 4% of Youth
Robyn Lee, Annette
McKeown, Jessica
Graham, Yussra Hajaji and
Patrick J. Kennedy are all
based at the Kolvin Service,
Cumbria Northumberland
Tyne and Wear NHS
Foundation Trust,
Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.
Received 28 November 2023
Revised 13 June 2024
Accepted 14 June 2024
Data availability: For queries
regarding data, contact the
“author for correspondence”.
Conflicts of interest: The
authors declare that there is no
conflict of interest.
Financial support: This work
has not received any financial
support.
PAGE 288 jMENTAL HEALTH REVIEW JOURNAL jVOL. 29 NO. 32024, pp. 288-300,©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1361-9322DOI 10.1108/MHRJ-11-2023-0067
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