Recognising service users' diversity: social identity narratives of British Pakistanis in a mental health context

Hussain, Basharat; Sheikh, Abdullah; Repper, Julie; Stickley, Theodore; Timmons, Stephen; Shah, Mahmood

Abstract

Purpose
This study aims to investigate how British Pakistani people talk about their social
identity, in the context of mental health, and how this shapes their experiences and
perceptions of care delivered by the National Health Service (NHS), UK.
Methodology
Eight narrative interviews were conducted amongst members of the Pakistani
community living in a city in the UK. The data were analysed using a narrative
analysis approach using ‘social identity’ as a theoretical lens.
Findings
Considering Pakistani service users as a single social entity, and responding with
generic approaches in meeting their mental health needs, may not be helpful in
achieving equitable treatment. Study participants reject a simple conceptualisation
of race and ethnicity and how a response based upon stereotypes is woefully
inadequate. The study revealed that people from one ethnic or national background
cannot be assumed to have a fixed social identity.
Originality
This study broadens understanding of how people from a single ethnic background
may construct and view their social identities markedly different to others from the
same ethnic group. This has implications for service providers in understanding how
their clients’ social identity is treated and understood in practice.

Citation

Hussain, B., Sheikh, A., Repper, J., Stickley, T., Timmons, S., & Shah, M. (2021). Recognising service users' diversity: social identity narratives of British Pakistanis in a mental health context. Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, 16(3), 200-212. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-06-2020-0040

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 14, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Feb 17, 2021
• Publication Date: May 24, 2021
• Deposit Date: Jan 14, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: May 17, 2021
• Journal: Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice
• Print ISSN: 1755-6228
• Electronic ISSN: 2042-8707
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 200-212
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-06-2020-0040
• Keywords: Social identity; Ethnic Minority Service Users; Mental Health Services; NHS; Pakistani
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5225978
• Publisher URL: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JMHTEP-06-2020-0040/full/html