African / Caribbean Experience of Accessing Mental Health Services
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Accessing mental health services for the first time: the black African and Caribbean experience.
IRAS ID
151436
Contact name
Patricia Scott
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Hertfordshire
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 10 months, 30 days
Research summary
This study seeks to understand the subjective first time experience of accessing mental health services in the UK by Black African and Caribbean service users.
Literature suggests that service users from these communities continue to experience mental health services negatively and have poorer outcomes, hence the need to better understand this care aspect.The research setting comprises 10 community mental health teams across 10 corresponding districts of Hertfordshire. Care coordinators in each sector will identify potential participants from their respective case loads with guidance from the inclusion / exclusion criteria.
The study sample comprises 15-20 participants i.e. service users currently under the care of community based mental health teams who will be identified by convenience sampling and in accordance with the inclusion / exclusion criteria.
Following research ethics committee favourable opinion, each participant will be consented with invitation to participate in one digitally recorded semi-structured interview. Data will be collected, transcribed and thematically analysed to identify themes. Study findings will be disseminated to the researcher's clinical practice team, academic conferences and peer-reviewed publications.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/EE/0297
Date of REC Opinion
9 Dec 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion