Black African mothers experiences of a child and adolescent mental health services

• Main Author: Page, Helen
• Published: University of London 2011
• Subjects: 362.2083
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.589458

Evidence indicates disparities in the help-seeking experiences of Black African families engaging with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). UK health policy aims to reduce these inequalities and ensure that services are appropriate in meeting the needs of a multicultural society. Literature exploring the reasons for service use disparities has identified numerous correlates of service engagement, however the experience and operation of these correlates is less well understood. As such, clinicians lack a depth of knowledge that could facilitate their work. Help-seeking research has highlighted that service engagement is a dynamic and social process shaped by cultural context. As such, qualitative research methods have been advocated to explore the individual's understanding of this experience. This study sought to develop a qualitative and in-depth understanding of the experience of Black African mothers attending a CAMHS and explore how cultural values and perceptions contribute to this experience. Six Black African mothers were interviewed regarding their experiences of attending CAMHS. Semi-structured interviews explored how participants understood their experience and how their cultural background may relate to their experience. Interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Three superordinate themes were identified concerning the experiences of 'parenting in a new context', 'the problem' and 'power and acceptability'. Participants' experiences 3 of CAMHS occurred in the context of raising a child in a new cultural context associated with various changes. This context contributed to the experience of defining a problem and understanding the responses taken. The experience challenged participants' existing understanding and introduced alternatives that were acceptable to different degrees across the sample. The findings indicate that culturally shaped beliefs regarding parenting, childhood behaviour and help-seeking are important in understanding the engagement of Black African families. Recommendations are made that aim to consider the world view of the client and service in order to deliver acceptable and appropriate services.