Participatory action research: Moving beyond the mental health ‘service user’ identity
Hutchinson, Andre Lovell, Andy
Hutchinson, Andre
Lovell, Andy
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EPub Date
Publication Date
2012-11-21
Submitted Date
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Abstract
Contemporary models of involvement within statutory services pay little regard to the
identity of individuals beyond the ‘service user’ label and in doing so unwittingly
perpetuate and sustain the negative impact of mental illness. The aim of this paper is
to discuss the process of a 3-year participatory action research study facilitated by a
mental health nurse. It highlights the perspective of those involved as co-researchers, all
having experience of accessing statutory mental health services. It identifies both the
process and the impact of this type of involvement on them illustrating their move
beyond an illness identity. The study involved them undertaking a series of interviews
with other service users in relation to their life stories. They subsequently mapped and
analysed the transcripts. In order that the people were enabled to undertake these roles
the study included a process of interviewing and appointing service user researchers
followed by a programme of training workshops, supervision and discussion group/
peer support. The accounts provided reflect the six researchers’ attempts to make sense
of their experience and reveal the path of transformation through collaboration.
Citation
Hutchinson, A., & Lovell, A. (2013). Participatory action research: moving beyond the mental health ‘service user’identity. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 20(7), 641-649.
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
Journal
Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
Research Unit
DOI
10.1111/jpm.12001
PubMed ID
PubMed Central ID
Type
Article
Language
en
Description
This article is not available through ChesterRep.
Series/Report no.
ISSN
1351-0126
EISSN
1365-2850