QUEST

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  A Qualitative Exploration of British Sign Language Users’ Experiences of Psychological Therapies (QUEST)

• IRAS ID

  291423

• Contact name

  Fiona Clark

• Contact email

  Fiona.Clark5@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 5 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  Introduction:
  Differences in the treatment of both medical and mental health needs have been clearly evidenced including in the d/Deaf community (Cabral, Muhr & Savageau, 2013). Previous research has shown that an estimated 80-90% of d/Deaf individuals with chronic mental health difficulties are not able to access services including psychological therapies (Behl & Kahn, 2015). There is currently a gap in research exploring d/Deaf people’s access to and experience of psychological therapies in the UK, particularly the experiences of British Sign Language (BSL) users. The aim of this study is to explore BSL service user’s experiences of psychological therapies. Through this we hope to gain a better understanding of the barriers this population experience in accessing these treatments and services in general and to help identify what solutions might be required to create equal access.

  Method:
  This study will use a qualitative design with semi-structured interviews. Up to twelve participants will be recruited to participate in the project. The research team will create a video inviting participants to be involved in the study which will be distributed through social media and relevant organisations/services. Participants will volunteer to participate and assessed against the inclusion criteria. Participants will have a moderate to profound hearing loss, use BSL as their main means of communication, be 18 years old or over, have accessed a psychological therapy for support with a mental health difficulty and must have capacity to provide consent to participate in the study. Participants should not currently be experiencing acute mental health difficulties. Participants have the right to withdraw from the research at any time.

  Results and Findings:
  Results will be analysed using qualitative analysis methods. The findings will be provided to participants on completion of the study and will be published in a research journal.
  

• REC name

  London - West London & GTAC Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  21/PR/0765

• Date of REC Opinion

  7 Jun 2021

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion