The experience of inequality and its impact on mental illness – thematic analysis of patients’ lived experiences admitted to secure mental health hospital
The Journal of Forensic Practice
ISSN: 2050-8794
Article publication date: 12 May 2022
Issue publication date: 28 June 2022
Abstract
Purpose
The concept of inequality refers to being treated unfairly in society and its impact on mental illness has been explored primarily using a quantitative research approach. Patients’ lived experiences of inequalities prior to their admission to a secure care setting need to be addressed with a higher priority as they can serve to improve our understanding of the factors underlying the development of mental illness at a personal level. The aim of this study is to explore participant’s views on whether for them the experience of inequality is associated with the development of mental illness.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative study, using a thematic analytical approach, was carried out to explore patients’ lived experiences of inequalities. A total of 11 participants, who were receiving treatment in a UK secure mental health hospital, were recruited into this study. The concept of inequality was explored using semi-structured interviews.
Findings
Data showed that patients had experienced a variety of inequalities which had negative impact on their mental health. Four main themes were identified from thematic textual analysis – abuse and its impact, a lack of support, the issue of labelling and the importance of understanding.
Practical implications
Data showed that patients had experienced a variety of inequalities which had negative impact on their mental health. Four main themes were identified from thematic textual analysis – abuse and its impact, a lack of support, the issue of labelling and the importance of understanding.
Originality/value
This is the first study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to consider intersectionality and admission to mental health units by interviewing patients in secure mental health setting.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Funding statement: This research received specific grant from NHS England.Full data to support these findings are available upon request of corresponding author (KrB). The data are not publicly available because of their containing information that could compromise the privacy of research participants.The authors contributed to the research question (KrB, AT, EA, KiB), study design (KrB, AT, EA, KiB), data analysis (KrB) and written article (KrB, AT, KiB).
Citation
Brenisin, K., Trumm, A., Akinwande, E. and Breen, K. (2022), "The experience of inequality and its impact on mental illness – thematic analysis of patients’ lived experiences admitted to secure mental health hospital", The Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. 24 No. 3, pp. 270-286. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-12-2021-0063
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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