Exploring racialised minority staff experiences of working in forensic mental health settings: a qualitative approach
Publication Date
December 13, 2023
Creator
Abstract
Background:
The experience of racialised minority staff in various work environments is characterised by long standing racialised inequalities. However, little is known about the experiences of racialised minority staff in Forensic Mental Health (FMH) settings (e.g. secure hospitals or mental health services delivered for criminal justice agencies).
Aim:
This thesis explores the experiences of navigating professional and personal cultural identity, among racialised minority staff in FMH settings. The objectives were:
1.To systematically review qualitative studies that explore racialised minority staff’s unfavourable experiences of working in the healthcare system (Chapter 2).
2.To explore the individual level experiences of racialisation and discrimination for racialised minority staff in FMH settings, when processing and managing cultural identity (Chapter 4).
3.To examine the systemic level experiences of racialisation and discrimination for racialised minority FMH staff in settings, and the psychological impact this has on them and their ability to serve within this setting (Chapter 5).
Method:
A qualitative approach was adopted for this thesis by first conducting a systematic review with thematic synthesis to explore existing qualitative research, on the employment experiences of racialised minority professionals in healthcare settings (Chapter 2). A qualitative study using semi structured interviews and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was then undertaken to explore the experiences of 10 racialised minority staff in FMH settings (Chapter 3).
Main findings:
The systematic review included 10 studies. 11 themes focused on participants’ experiences of discrimination, prejudice and disadvantages. The review highlighted racialised minority staff experiences in healthcare settings and contextualised and informed the subsequent study (Chapter 2). The first part of the qualitative study highlighted five main themes about individual experiences; carrying the burden, environmental and emotional mastery, the dilemma of staying true to myself, dismissal and minimisation of race-based experiences, unconscious racialisation (Chapter 4). The second part of the qualitative study produced five main themes about participants’ experiences of the system; culture prevents progression, reducing inequality by changing the narrative, the complexity and contextual nature of FMH settings, using culture and identity to connect and buffering for psychological protection (Chapter 5). Both parts reveal how participants navigate cultural identity, in a racialised environment at individual and system levels.
Implications:
Discussing racialisation, intersectional identities and acknowledging the existence of systemic racism should occur in FMH settings. This should also consider the impact on staff and its effect on the population they serve, with the aim of making FMH services more inclusive and equitable.
Item Type
ethesis
Thesis Type
DForenPsy
Supervisors
Subjects (LC)
Associated Schools / Departments
School of Medicine
eprints ID
74516
UoN Repository URI
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
Name
Amber-Renee Gayle- 20208117- DForenPsy Thesis- Second Resubmission.pdf
Type
Full-text
Description
Examined
Size
8.32 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
16998360c2290ffbff964df78a1f5e21