Black people's narratives of accessing psychology services - V1

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    The narratives of Black people diagnosed with psychosis of accessing psychology services: A critical race theory perspective

  • IRAS ID

    307963

  • Contact name

    Denisha Makwana

  • Contact email

    dm672@canterbury.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Salomons Centre for Applied Psychology, Canterbury Christ Church University

  • Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

    N/A, N/A

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 3 months, 18 days

  • Research summary

    There is substantial evidence illustrating the inequality that Black people experience with their mental health care in the UK. For example, previous research has indicated that whilst Black people are more likely to be diagnosed with psychosis, fewer receive psychological therapy (Colling et al., 2017). Studies attempting to explain why Black people may experience these barriers, have highlighted social, cultural and institutional factors. The social and cultural factors highlighted in prior research include stigma about mental health within Black communities, whilst institutional factors highlight experiences of inequality in care faced by people who are not from a White racial background, a lack of trust in service providers and health professionals lacking cultural competency (Memon et al., 2016).
    Additionally, there is some evidence from studies based in America, that institutional factors such as racial microaggressions can also impact counselling sessions (Sue et al., 2006). However, the research literature is scarce of exploring Black people's experiences of psychology services in the UK. This research study will explore Black people's narratives of prior and current experiences of psychology services. Ten- fifteen Black people, who have been referred to the psychology service within four Promoting Recovery Teams (Community Mental Health Teams for Psychosis), will be recruited to be interviewed by the research team. Their stories of accessing psychology services will be captured and analysed to look at themes within their individual stories as well as across the stories. The analysis will allow for the creation of new themes as well as themes based on previous research. Due to the nature of the research method used, participants can review the themes and the summary of their story to be presented in the research. The research study is expected to run for one year.

  • REC name

    London - West London & GTAC Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    22/LO/0198

  • Date of REC Opinion

    18 May 2022

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion