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Experiences of user involvement in mental health research: exploring reflections from a service user researcher using autoethnography
journal contribution
posted on 2023-08-30, 17:32 authored by Joanna FoxPurpose: User involvement in research is entering the mainstream of traditional mental health research. In practice, there are diverse ways in which the process of involvement is experienced by mental health service user researchers. This paper aims to explore two diverse experiences of involvement by the researcher.
Approach: Autoethnography is the research methodology employed in this study; it combines a process of reflective writing and critical analysis which enables me to explore my experiences of being both a service user and academic researcher. Two accounts of my involvement in mental health research are presented: one which builds on a consultation
model, and the other, based on co-production principles.
Findings: Experiences of power-sharing and collaborative decision-making, alongside disempowerment are discussed; leading to exploration of the theoretical and practical processes for promoting participation of users in research.
Research limitations: The research is limited because it is undertaken by one individual in a local setting, and is therefore is not generalisable; however it provides useful insights into the diverse processes of
involvement that many service users experience.
Practical implications: Recommendations are presented to support the involvement of service users in research; with final remarks offered considering the possible future implementation of this still emerging tradition.
Originality: This paper reflects on the experiences of one service user academic involved in research and highlights diverse experiences of both empowering and disempowering involvement, providing recommendations for best practice.
History
Refereed
- Yes
Volume
25Issue number
3Page range
281-294Publication title
Mental Health Review JournalISSN
2042-8758External DOI
Publisher
EmeraldFile version
- Accepted version
Language
- eng
Official URL
Legacy posted date
2020-08-19Legacy creation date
2020-08-19Legacy Faculty/School/Department
Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine & Social CareUsage metrics
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