Adapting a salutogenic critical appreciative inquiry approach to the co-production of culturally sensitive mental health service delivery for Black African and African Caribbean communities in Birmingham, UK

Kumah, Angela (2024) Adapting a salutogenic critical appreciative inquiry approach to the co-production of culturally sensitive mental health service delivery for Black African and African Caribbean communities in Birmingham, UK. Doctoral thesis, Birmingham City University.

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Abstract

Background

A growing body of research has explored the prevalence of health inequalities in the delivery of mental health services for racialised communities in the UK, with an increased call for the use of equitable co-production methods to engage communities in the design and development of culturally sensitive services. There is, however, very little research on the use of asset-based frameworks to address the needs of specific ethnic groups, such as the Black African and African Caribbean community. This study, therefore, sought to explore the factors identified by the Black African/African-Caribbean community and service providers as important in the design and development of culturally sensitive mental health services, using a salutogenic, critical appreciative inquiry process.

Methodology

Implementing appreciative inquiry in 3 distinct phases, the qualitative research methods of online interviews and focus groups produced rich insights on the value of cultural norms and beliefs as protective factors for mental health, social and cultural capital in building resilience as well as the nuances surrounding resilience narratives and their impact on help-seeking behaviour, from both community members and service deliverers.

Findings

Recommendations made for service deliverers included improving diversity and representation in leadership, promoting holistic, community-tailored mental health services and access to alternative treatment options, and enhancing school and workplace based mental health support. Discussing the integration of recommendations, service deliverers focused on fostering sustainable interagency collaborations, confronting systemic and institutional racism and community ownership in culturally sensitive mental health service delivery. One of the novel contributions of this study is the development of a checklist that can potentially be tailored by service providers and community members to promote quality assessments and evaluations aimed at improving cultural sensitivity within services. This research further contributes to the literature by revealing that within Black African and African-Caribbean communities, resilience is seen as an integral part of identity, shaped by the profound impact of racism and discrimination, rather than a conscious choice.

Conclusion

Results from this study demonstrate the need for more research aimed at addressing the multiple factors that may be considered in the design and development of culturally sensitive mental health services for the specific racialised communities in the UK, beyond the BAME umbrella. Overall, this study evidences the value of a salutogenic, critical appreciative inquiry approach for engaging stakeholders as equal collaborators in addressing systemic issues and the nuances to be considered in the process of co-designing equitable culturally sensitive mental health services for diverse communities.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Dates:	Date Event 31 August 2023 Submitted 25 June 2024 Accepted
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Health inequalities; Salutogenesis; Critical appreciative inquiry; Cultural sensitivity; Black African and African Caribbean communities
Subjects:	CAH02 - subjects allied to medicine > CAH02-04 - nursing and midwifery > CAH02-04-07 - mental health nursing CAH02 - subjects allied to medicine > CAH02-06 - allied health > CAH02-06-01 - health sciences (non-specific)
Divisions:	Doctoral Research College > Doctoral Theses Collection Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences > College of Health and Care Professions
Depositing User:	Jaycie Carter
Date Deposited:	02 Sep 2024 13:38
Last Modified:	02 Sep 2024 13:38
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/15766

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