Black Male SUs' experience of psychology in forensic hospitals
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An exploration of Black men’s perception and experience of psychological therapy in a forensic hospital.
IRAS ID
319011
Contact name
Simran Bains
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Salomons Institute for Applied Psychology
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 9 months, 30 days
Research summary
The mental health inequalities for Black and and Ethnically Minoritised populations are well documented and improving this is a Government and National Health Service priority. Research shows that Black and Ethnically Minoritised service users (SUs) are less likely to access and engage with mental health services in community services due to cultural stigma, distrusting services and services not accommodating SUs’ cultural and religious needs. As a result, Black and Minority Ethnic individuals, particularly Black men, are more likely to enter services when in crisis, through the Criminal Justice System, compared to their White counterparts. The disparities continue in inpatient settings: Black populations are over four times more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act and are subject to higher incidents of restraint, seclusion and readmission.
There is a paucity of research into the experiences of therapy for Black and Minority Ethnic individuals in secure settings, particularly forensic hospitals. It is important to understand this experience as engaging with psychology is an integral aspect of SUs’ care and treatment, that often influences their progression to discharge.
Literature here also tends to group ethnic minority identities together and discusses research implications for these identities as a collective, which fails to capture the nuances in experiences for different ethnic minority identities. Hence, this project seeks to explore the stories Black men tell about their experiences of engaging with psychology in forensic hospitals; a setting with substantial inequalities. This will be investigated through semi-structured interviews, lasting up to 90 minutes in forensic hospitals. Data collection and analysis will span roughly two years. Of particular interest is if aspects of participants' identity (ethnicity and masculinity) feature in their narratives, and if this affected their experience of engaging with psychology. This feedback could help inform culturally appropriate interventions and reduce the retraumatisation of SUs by services.
Lay Summary of Results
Participants told three stories about engaging with psychological therapy in a forensic hospital: the story of trying psychological therapy for the first time, the story of the impacts of psychological therapy and the story of their recovery journey. Despite challenges in approaching and engaging with psychological therapy, all participants reported some benefits of psychological therapy
Has the registry been updated to include summary results?: Yes
If yes - please enter the URL to summary results: https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu2790089.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fls%2Fclick%3Fupn%3Du001.QwnS5iG-2B4nwcunWxC03fkPCm8dol-2B-2Fvu2hm-2FWOvNDAEkL6pgEbMsdgdYzwDUIojhUgGbhMsJk9DaqM4m3XE4v7Ko6Fe2nFAeUt9TgI-2BKRClzWrhXSGdnmAsKlYIUFh0K1R1iH9JnO0rcQBba46oQFw-3D-3D21BH_a04dWCHmDh7gi4hRuvmsd-2FMEDkPNm6D0IRdq0o1v81ciUXqDDjz-2FPAZb0gSgeptrkpWlYYGji8yz4huw4D3-2FwLyHXz84sYN39rAAZDx4wSNzGn17IR43tQj7qIM-2BOunXKJeSUOeFvoFA1is62WlHF2pYpOqF5BNlYoI-2BLjNww8CrKxEqLGM-2FzTwVrSoN77bjiXfj6y8icLkv8NHUGWDcEg-3D-3D&data=05%7C02%7Cstanmore.rec%40hra.nhs.uk%7C70e7723da542417aaf3b08dc55702a4a%7C8e1f0acad87d4f20939e36243d574267%7C0%7C0%7C638479187437761958%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=aeDfSHVTLwpwBIcHlXyHvhOVG66YE9%2BEeOBMvBFfGT4%3D&reserved=0
If no – why not?:
Did you follow your dissemination plan submitted in the IRAS application form (Q A51)?: Pending
If yes, describe or provide URLs to disseminated materials:
If pending, date when dissemination is expected: 05/07/2024
If no, explain why you didn't follow it:
Have participants been informed of the results of the study?: Pending
If yes, describe and/or provide URLs to materials shared and how they were shared: Easy read documents have been created which will be disseminated to participants on 5th July 2024 when feedback to the Trust is also completed.
If pending, date when feedback is expected: 05/07/2024
If no, explain why they haven't:
Have you enabled sharing of study data with others?: No
If yes, describe or provide URLs to how it has been shared:
If no, explain why sharing hasn't been enabled: n/a
Have you enabled sharing of tissue samples and associated data with others?: No
If yes, describe or provide a URL:
If no, explain why: n/aREC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/LO/0175
Date of REC Opinion
13 Apr 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion