Generational understanding of Dementia amongst UK South Asians
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring South Asian communities' understanding of dementia and its impact on seeking help from NHS services: Generational View
IRAS ID
339670
Contact name
Elizabeta B Mukaetova-Ladinska
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leicester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 17 days
Research summary
Research has suggested people from South Asian communities are at greater risk of developing dementia and therefore one would expect larger number of patients from these communities accessing NHS services. However, it is reported those from ethnic minority groups are less likely to access services and limit patients’ opportunity to benefit from long-term support. Although research has explored engagement difficulties, only ethnicity was considered as an explanation for these challenges. Not taking into account the complexity and power intersectionality ie education and generational status has in influencing individuals’ understandings. Research have suggested South Asian communities’ understanding and treatment of dementia is often linked with cultural beliefs, however as multiple generations have grown up in Western societies it could be theorised these understandings have changed. Yet, exploration of blended cultures and how this may impact on seeking help from the NHS has not been investigated.
Hence, this DClinPsy project aims to explore generational understand of dementia amongst South Asian communities and how this may have impacted their decision to seek help from NHS services. By utilising the information collected we hope to provide services with knowledge on how to improve access to communities and work alongside on how best to treat patients.
We aim to interview 15 family members of people living with dementia from South Asian backgrounds. They will be recruited from NHS Older People services and consented to take part in a qualitative interview exploring their initial understanding of dementia and the support they received. Demographic questions will be asked to help us understand the influence an individual’s intersectionality has on knowledge of dementia and help seeking behaviours across different backgrounds. We estimate interviews to take between 30-45 mins to completed and will be audio-recorded and transcribed. Data will be analysed using thematic analysis to identify emerging theme.
REC name
Wales REC 5
REC reference
24/WA/0106
Date of REC Opinion
10 May 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion