Better Cross-Cultural Psychotherapy for Afro-Caribbean British Adults
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An Exploration of Cross-Cultural Therapy From Both Sides; Aiming for Better Mental Health Outcomes for British Persons of Afro-Caribbean Heritage
IRAS ID
313494
Contact name
Mark Gresswell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Of Lincoln
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 28 days
Research summary
Within the United Kingdom, persons of Afro-Caribbean descent have been reported to have poor experiences with, and outcomes after accessing mental health services. This lack of equality has been reported for over twenty five years. This is despite the many NHS policies including directions and aims regarding increasing equality in healthcare across an array of factors including ethnicity and race.
Research the world over has pointed to cultural differences between mental health service providers and mental health service users as a significant contributor to poorer experiences and outcomes. The research suggests that barriers between therapist and service users from different cultures and ethnicities can be overcome through the good practice where therapists are humble, respectful and aware of other people’s cultures. The research also notes that it is not just the therapists who can help create the needed circumstances for better outcomes and experiences but the service users can do so as well.
In the United States more detailed guidelines have been produced aimed at facilitating better cross cultural therapy, than exist in the UK. Yet despite the existence of research, policies and guidelines relating to this mental health inequality, the problem remains. The question is therefore raised as to why do these inequalities persist and how can they be addressed.
This study aims to investigate what happens in the room during talk therapy from the perspective of both the service users and the service providers. Interviews with 12 Afro- Caribbean former service users and 12 non Afro-Caribbean service providers on their experiences will be conducted. The insights gained will be used to assess whether the guidelines developed in the United States have relevance for the United Kingdom and if so, to make suggestions on how these guidelines could be adapted to the context of the United Kingdom.
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/EM/0028
Date of REC Opinion
20 Mar 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion