Harnessing the potential of community-based participatory research approaches in bipolar disorder

Int J Mental Health Nurs

Bocking

et al. 2018

Coproduction of research between consumers of mental health services and nonconsumer mental health researchers is increasing. There is some research available describing consumer perspectives of this experience. However, there is a notable lack of research on other (nonconsumer) researcher experiences of and views about consumer involvement in coproduced research. A qualitative exploratory study was undertaken to examine perspectives of mental health researchers about consumer involvement in research. In-depth individual interviews were undertaken with 11 nonconsumer mental health researchers in Australia and New Zealand. Interview transcripts were analysed to identify major themes. There were three interacting themes: the salience of experiential difference, expanded learning, and enhanced research. The dynamic between different perspectives and learning had the effect of enhancing research across the spectrum of study phases and in ensuring research was of value to different groups. The findings emphasize the important contribution consumer researchers can make to mental health research by bringing their unique perspective and enhancing an environment of mutual learning. Findings also point to the need for foregrounding the numerous benefits of joint research between consumer and other researchers to enhance and improve clinical practice and the development of policy.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

“…Several benefits of mental health consumer involvement in research have been reported, from shaping the prioritization of research agendas to refining discrete stages of research projects (Michalak et al . ; Ostrow et al . ; Wallcraft et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How did I not see that? Perspectives of nonconsumer mental health researchers on the benefits of collaborative research with consumers

Happell

Int J Mental Health Nurs

Bocking

et al. 2018

“…Consumers are no longer simply the passive subjects of research, but active participants in the research process. Consumers have a strong positive effect on the relevance and integrity of research outcomes (Beebeejaun, Durose, Rees, Richardson, & Richardson, 2015;de Freitas, 2017;Michalak et al, 2016;Phillips, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“I don't think we've quite got there yet”: The experience of allyship for mental health consumer researchers

Happell

Scholz

Psychiatric Ment Health Nurs

et al. 2018

Introduction Australia and New Zealand mental health policy requires consumer participation in all aspects of mental health services. Systemic participation informs and improves the quality of mental health services. Collaboration with consumer researchers should be similarly required. Enhanced understandings of collaborations are needed. Aim To enhance understanding of the perspectives and experiences of nonconsumer researchers in working collaboratively with consumers as researchers. Method This qualitative exploratory study involved interviews with nonconsumer mental health researchers who have worked collaboratively with consumers in research. Interviews were conducted with participants from Australia and New Zealand. Results "Allyship" emerged as a major theme. This describes nonconsumer researchers playing an actively supportive role to facilitate opportunities for the development and growth of consumer research roles and activities. Seven subthemes were identified: establishing and supporting roles, corralling resources, guiding navigation of university systems, advocacy at multiple levels, aspiring to coproduction and consumer-led research, extending connections and partnerships, and desire to do better. Discussion Allyship may have an important role to play in the broader consumer research agenda and requires further consideration. Implications for practice Embedding meaningful consumer participation within mental health services requires active consumer involvement in research. Allies can play an important facilitative role.

“…A promising development has been the rise of consumer research (a term used throughout this paper to refer to research led by or co‐created with mental health service consumers; Michalak et al . ); however, research points to significant barriers particularly related to resources, such as the time and funding necessary to facilitate consumer research (Staley ). This paper will explore these barriers through a focus on how they are structured by relationships between ecological systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘There's just no flexibility’: How space and time impact mental health consumer research

Scholz

Int J Mental Health Nurs

Bocking

et al. 2019

Non-consumer researchers collaborating with consumer researchers can benefit from greater relevance of research and improved congruence between research processes and health policy. As with all research collaborations, such partnerships are both constrained and facilitated by research ecosystems. However, it seems that collaborations with consumer researchers are impacted in particular ways by the research ecosystem. Drawing on ecological systems theory, this study aims to improve understandings of how ecological structures impact collaborations between non-consumer and consumer researchers. Interviews were conducted with 11 non-consumer researchers from a range of mental health disciplines about their experiences collaborating with consumer researchers. One theme developed through analysis of the data set related to the research ecosystem. Data from this theme were extracted and discursively analysed using the principles of discursive psychology. Findings emphasize distinct factors that influence collaborations at each level of the ecosystem, encompassing both local research culture and broader research systems. Findings suggest that external pressures (such as deadlines for funding applications, or bureaucratic processes) from the broader ecosystemic levels need to be challenged at the local collaboration level. Non-consumer researchers might support collaborations through, for instance, working to create enhanced flexibility in research timelines, or making time for relationship building, thus fostering more meaningful collaborations.