Dissociation in black people of African and African Caribbean descent in the UK
Information Sheet (RBRS)
Dear Participant,
Whilst most people living In the UK enjoy good mental health, health and social inequalities abound amongst those experiencing social and economic disadvantage (Marmot Review, 2009). Although other minority ethnic groups also experience social disadvantage and racial discrimination in the UK (Modood, Berthoud, & Lahey, 1997; Nazroo, 1998; Bhui, 2002; Tinsley & Jacobs, 2006; Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate (HORDSD) , 2004, 2004, 2006; Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), 2007; 2008), they do not however appear to experience the same incidence of mental illness on first contact with the mental health care services as black people of African and African Caribbean descent in the UK people do. Black people of African and African Caribbean descent in the UK are no more likely to experience common mental heal disorders such as depression and anxiety than their white counterparts (Sproston & Nazroo, 2002), but they 2.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia or other psychotic illness (Healthcare Commission, 2005). The reason(s) 'why' are uncertain, but racism haslong beenassociated with ill health (Paradies, 2006), and there has been some speculation as to whether social pressure such that which might result from racism might be the cause of mental ill health within the Black community in the UK (McKenzie, 2006). There is little evidence however that a causal relationship between the experience of racism and the deterioration in mental health. This research therefore attempts to test the view that, social determinants of health such as racism exert their effect psychologically, and when these experience ofsocial inequality are mentally represented exert their effect on the mental heath of black people of African and African Caribbean descent (black people) in the UK.
Whilst some black people of African and African Caribbean descent (black people) may use a number of different psychological defense mechanisms to deal with the effects of perceived racism, I have chosen to focus my research on the psychological defense mechanism – dissociation. To explore these issues, I have designed a study to look at the normal process of dissociation in those who are often confronted with ‘racism’, and to determine whether black people become sensitised to this experience, as members of a social group stigmatised because of they are black. Race-based rejection sensitivity may be defined as: is a psychological state or condition in which an individual becomes sensitised and anxious about race related thoughts, emotions, sensations, or memories, or actions of others as a member of stigmatised group. I will be asking the question, ‘is race-based rejections sensitivity some black people may experience as a consequence of being a member of a stigmatised group directly correlated with reported mental representations indicative of the subjective experience of racism; and if so, to what extent?’
What is the purpose of the study?
The study is an attempt to determine whether there is any relation between mental representations that might underpin he subjective experience of racism, and race-based rejection sensitivity in black people of African and African Caribbean descent in the UK
Why am I interested in black people?
I am interested in black people because they continue to be over represented within the mental health system, and we know very little about how processing race-related information impacts on their mental health, psychologically.
What do I have to do?
All you have to do is answer ALL the items on the questionnaire, in your own time, to the best of your ability, and return it to the research investigator. If you do not want to respond to any of the items, please leave it blank. There is no time limit, but please do not think about the questions for too long.
What will happen to the information?
The research investigator will collect anonymously, and hold them within 'VADM Centre for Ethnic Minority Mental Health' databases until the end of the study. The study will end when I have a representative sample of respondents. The researcher will have your Internet Protocol address (IP address) which will help identify which respondents are UK based and which are not. None of the information with shared with a third party without your expressed permission, and you can be assured confidentiality will be maintained throughout.
What will happen to the results?
A research paper/article will be produced for publication, and disseminated through peer-reviewed journals. At the end of the study, you will be able to request a summary of the findings from the researcher. You will not be identifiable in the paper or the summary.
Do I have to take part?
Participation is voluntary. If, you at all unhappy with any part of the study, you can leave it blank, or with draw from the study at any time. You can also contact the researcher via telephone: 02086744500, or via email: vernon@vadm.co.uk
Who has reviewed the study? Who is organising and funding the Study?
The study was ethically reviewed, organised, and funded by VADM Centre for Ethnic Minority Mental Health (UK), and Charing Cross Research Ethics Committee (Ref: 08/H0711/133). VADM Centre for Ethnic Minority Mental Health is a limited company, Registered in England (Registration No. 6601452), and charitable organisation, Registered with the Charities Commission, (Registration No. 1124782).
Thanks for participating in this study
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