Participatory action research into mental health service user recovery
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Participatory action research using photovoice to explore user experiences of recovery in acute mental health occupational therapy facilities
IRAS ID
138124
Contact name
Wendy Bryant
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Central and North West London NHS Foundation TRust
Research summary
The environment is considered to be an important resource to promote recovery through occupational therapy. For people in acute care, specific occupational therapy facilities such as therapy kitchens, art rooms and gyms offer an accessible route to recovery. However, not all acute mental health units have these facilities and occupational therapists are often required to work with much more limited resources, restricting occupations which can be used therapeutically.
We aim to investigate these facilities as therapeutic environments in one occupational therapy department in West London, using participatory action research and including photovoice, an innovative visual method. A service user action research group, co-facilitated by occupational therapy and service user researchers, will gather data about their experiences, taking photographs and analysing them in cycles of action and reflection. This approach will give participants opportunities to develop a detailed understanding of how occupational therapy is experienced, indicating the part specific facilities play in recovery. The use of photography will enable participants to focus on the environment.
The data will comprise a set of images and statements representing diverse and shared experiences. This research could pinpoint the value of specific occupational therapy facilities in acute units and contribute to the evidence base for enhancing occupational therapy provision.
REC name
London - Brent Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/0620
Date of REC Opinion
7 May 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion