Barriers that Western social workers face in dealing with black patients who experience

MA Social w
Psychosis and have supernatural and spiritual beliefs. Literature review Supervisor:
Key themes from the literature: Caroline Lea
• Understanding psychosis and seeking help behavior, in many African
Introduction Methodology countries use relational-oriented personhood (Ngwenya et al, 2023).
The experiences associated with psychosis are The research philosophy guiding this study is based on • The individual would have to identify their person through various agencies
universally experienced, (Wusten et al, 2018), criticality exploring both facts and subjective information. within the African culture to get treatment.
however, responses toward psychosis vary Both the literature review and the thematic analysis using • When working with black patients, social workers should consider working
enormously. Attitudes and beliefs Braun and Clarke’s Six stages approach (Byrne, 2022). The with each individual whilst keeping their specific beliefs in mind to
underpin the interpretation of what causes literature searches for recent studies relating to the maximize their recovery (Harrison, 2010)
psychosis and what treatments are appropriate for question of issues between Western social workers and • A need for culturally sensitive approaches within services including social
those who are in distress. Within Western cultures, a black patients following the documentary analysis of five work when working with black patients experiencing mental health needs.
medicalized, science short stories of patients with psychosis who have spiritual • Both UK and African policies did not mention the inclusion of herbal healers
-based response towards psychosis is underpinned beliefs. or priests working alongside mental health services in the treatment of
by a belief in psychosis being of Ethical consideration was in action throughout the patients suffering from psychosis and belief in the paranormal.
psychological/biological origins. However, within interpretation of my work and as a researcher I was Research Gap: The literature review reveals a search gap concerning the
some African cultures, responses ethically neutral. To be able to adhere to SWE 2, I was working between mental health services and herbal healers or spiritual priests.
towards psychosis are underpinned by a belief in committed to my research ethics. There is a lack of assessment tailored to support people who have psychosis
psychosis being of supernatural origins. The study and believe in spirituality or the supernatural.
will,
Explore psychosis from a non-Western perspective
Findings and Discussion Conclusion and Recommendation
The main finding included the need to promote social This study has found that the main problem that Western social workers were
To investigate the culture and beliefs surrounding
justice and cultural person-centered care, CRT analyses facing was not being educated about people’s backgrounds whilst treating their
the African community
religious and spiritual beliefs, cultural acknowledgments patients.
Investigate UK and African policy on mental health.
about black people, and psychosis to promote a lasting Recommendation are:
recovery • A greater training in black cultural experiences, cultural competencies, and
References unconscious bias.
Byrne, D., 2022. A worked example of Braun and Clarke’s approach to reflexive thematic • A recovery model assessment from a critical race theory perspective. The
analysis. Quality & quantity, 56(3), pp.1391-1412. recommended approach would consider the patient’s background and the
Harrison, G. and Turner, R., (2010). Being a ‘culturally competent’social worker: Making sense of a impact this may have on mental health, as well as other more widely
murky concept in practice. The British Journal of Social Work, 41(2), pp.333-350. recognized factors.
Ngwenya, N., Chikwari, C.D., Seeley, J. and Ferrand, R.A., 2023. Are concepts of adolescence from • Within social worker assessment for black patients, the unconscious bias that
the Global North appropriate for Africa? A debate. BMJ global health, 8(12). views black people as loud, violent, and deviant should be recognized as
Russell-Brown, K., (2009). The color of crime (Vol. 45). nyu press. problematic and oppressive, and recognizing cultural heritage as positive
Wüsten, C., Schlier, B., Jaya, E.S., Fonseca-Pedrero, E., Peters, E., Verdoux, H., Woodward, T.S., Ziermans, T.B. and enabling can help to remove bias (Russel, 2009)
and Lincoln, T.M., 2018. Psychotic experiences and related distress: a cross-national comparison and network
analysis based on 7141 participants from 13 countries. Schizophrenia bulletin, 44(6), pp.1185-1194.