Culturally Adapted Treatment for Hindus with Depression
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Adapting an Existing Faith-Sensitive Depression Self-Help Resource for the Hindu Community
IRAS ID
366824
Contact name
Abhilasha Kakkar
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 29 days
Research summary
This is an expansion of work in relation to the secondary objective of a previous study (IRAS number: 295105): 'how relevant is the approach to a range of faith groups in Bradford and what adaptations might be needed for specific communities?'. This will involve collaborating with Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service (LMWS) and Bradford Hindu Council (BHC). We will aim to capture perspectives of adult Hindus with depression and religious leaders to incorporate knowledge from both parties into development of a self-help resource for Hindus with depression.
Building on the existing study, this research aims to:
•Produce a faith-sensitive self-help resource for Hindus with depression;
•Make recommendations to inform future mental health commissioning in reducing current inequalities in access to and provision of mental health support for Hindus.Research question: How can an existing faith-sensitive self-help resource for depression be adapted to meet the needs of the Hindu community?
Study Design: An inductive approach and qualitative research methodology will be adopted.
Phase 1: Exploratory Phase - conduct semi-structured interviews and/or focus groups to understand of Hindu concepts around recovery and positive religious coping. These will include: (1) British Hindus with lived experience of depression, and (2) key Hindu community members with religious expertise. The researcher (i.e. doctorate student) will recruit up to 10 participants with lived experience of depression, who will also be asked to participate during the validation process (phase three). Hindus with religious expertise is likely to be around 4-5 participants, although both will depend on achieving a representative sample of different Hindu community groups and a gender balance.
Phase 2: Development of Self-Help Booklet via thematic analysis and relevant frameworks.
Phase 3: Validation Phase - with stakeholders to ensure credibility and relevance to local context.Research sites: NHS recruitment via LMWS and Bradford NHS trust; Voluntary organisations via BHC and other relevant organisations.
Study completion:30/08/26
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/YH/0044
Date of REC Opinion
10 Apr 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion