Isiwele, Anthony;
(2025)
A Multimethod Investigation into Nigerian and Ghanaian Young People's Experiences of Care for Common Mental Disorders in Inner London.
Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
This study explores the lived experiences of Ghanaian and Nigerian young people in Inner London regarding their care for anxiety and depression. Despite global and national efforts to enhance mental health support, disparities in accessing care persist, especially for Black African communities. The study aims to understand how these young individuals navigate the mental healthcare system and identify their needs and preferences concerning appropriate care. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used for data from semi-structured interviews with young people, parents, and practitioners. This approach enabled an in-depth exploration of personal narratives and provided a nuanced understanding of their experiences, incorporating intersectionality theory. Additional participatory work through a Research Impact Workshop engaged Ghanaian and Nigerian youth, parents, community leaders, and practitioners. Activities included facilitated discussions, group presentations, and collaborative action plan development, using methods like small group discussions and anonymous contributions with Post-it notes. This approach aimed to ensure all voices were heard, fostering cultural humility and co-creating solutions to improve mental healthcare for Black youth in Inner London. The findings highlight the inadequacies of existing care models, which often fail to address the cultural and social complexities these young people face. Participants expressed feelings of being misunderstood by practitioners and noted a lack of culturally sensitive approaches in therapy. The study reveals a disconnect between standardised care practices and the lived realities of these communities, emphasising the need for tailored, culturally humble approaches to mental healthcare. In conclusion, this research emphasises the importance of integrating cultural humility into mental health services to better serve Ghanaian and Nigerian youth. It calls for policy reforms and practice adaptations that reflect the diverse needs of Black youth, aiming to reduce disparities and foster more inclusive mental healthcare practices in Inner London.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | Ph.D |
| Title: | A Multimethod Investigation into Nigerian and Ghanaian Young People's Experiences of Care for Common Mental Disorders in Inner London |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Copyright © The Author 2025. Original content in this thesis is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Any third-party copyright material present remains the property of its respective owner(s) and is licensed under its existing terms. Access may initially be restricted at the author’s request. |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education > IOE - Social Research Institute |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10207452 |
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