Thesis (M.A.)--University of Toledo, 2008. / Typescript. "Submitted as partial fulfillment of the requirements for The Master of Arts degree in Psychology." "A thesis entitled"--at head of title. Bibliography: leaves 59-63.

Background: Current literature suggests that there is an underutilisation of mental health services among Chinese people in England and that most Chinese people only come into contact with mental health services when a crisis occurs. However, there is limited evidence to enhance understanding of how they enter and navigate through the mental health systems. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the pathway experience of Chinese people living with a diagnosis of severe mental illness and the experience of their social networks who became involved in this journey. Methodology: Adopting a phenomenological approach, this study involved 55 interviews relating to 16 Chinese people with severe mental illness. Participants included Chinese people with severe mental illness, their families and Chinese speaking workers working in different service settings. Data was analysed with the aid of the QSR Nvivo software program. Findings: This was the first qualitative study to help understand the experience of Chinese people with severe mental illness in England. It confirmed that language difference, a lack of knowledge about how to access mainstream services and different conceptualisation of the experience of mental illness were significant barriers to seeking help. However, contrary to existing literature, this study found that not all Chinese people with severe mental illness experienced delays in receiving professional support. The health beliefs and attitude of their social networks towards mental illness were the main factors shaping the duration and direction of individual journey. Family played an important role throughout this journey but most families did not have adequate resources to meet the mental health needs of their relatives. Therefore, they had to seek help from mental health professionals, Chinese speaking workers and their overseas connections. Discussion: The stigma attached to mental illness was reported as the key explanation for delays in help-seeking. The impact of stigma was felt more strongly by Chinese male than female family members. The worry that mental illness would ruin the family name and the family would lose face in the community explained the reluctance of Chinese men to seek help for their close relatives with severe mental illness. Chinese speaking workers provided vital resources for Chinese people to access mainstream mental health services. However, the strong belief in self-reliance and the perception that Chinese people held a more stigmatising attitude towards people with mental illness explained why some participants were resistant to seek help from outsiders, especially people from the Chinese community. Additionally, Chinese people living in remote areas were unable to reach and access these resources because of the unavailability of such resources in rural areas. Conclusion: This study expands our conceptual understanding of how the stigma associated with mental illness impacts on the utilisation of mental health services among Chinese people in England. Chinese speaking workers play an important role in facilitating access to mental health services. Hence, it is important to explore and develop different strategies to de-stigmatise mental illness so that Chinese people living in different parts of England can utilise resources from the Chinese and wider community. / published_or_final_version / Social Work and Administration / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

This study was conducted using a quantitative design and statistical analysis to determine the extent to which social support will influence an individual's decision to seek treatment for a medical illness. Main findings include significant correlations between measures of perceived and tangible social support and treatment compliance.

The purpose of this study was to explore the role of family members in support of their relatives who are mentally ill and to develop guidelines for the support of mentally ill relatives by their families in a rural community. The research design was qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual. The research population consisted of families of mentally ill relatives collecting their monthly medications at the Jane Furse Gateway Clinic. Purposive sampling was used to draw the sample. Data was collected by individual in-depth semi-structured interviews that were tape-recorded. The study revealed that families provide physical, psychosocial, financial and developmental support to their relatives. Furthermore, families are faced with frustrations when providing support to their mentally ill relatives / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

The purpose of this study was to explore the role of family members in support of their relatives who are mentally ill and to develop guidelines for the support of mentally ill relatives by their families in a rural community. The research design was qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual. The research population consisted of families of mentally ill relatives collecting their monthly medications at the Jane Furse Gateway Clinic. Purposive sampling was used to draw the sample. Data was collected by individual in-depth semi-structured interviews that were tape-recorded. The study revealed that families provide physical, psychosocial, financial and developmental support to their relatives. Furthermore, families are faced with frustrations when providing support to their mentally ill relatives / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

High prevalence of mental illness in South African and limited Mental Health Care (MHC) resources call for ways to supplement the overburdened system to meet the rehabilitative and supportive needs of service users as stipulated in the MHC Act no. 17 of 2002. Various psychological, social, and financial difficulties plaguing MHC users require holistic treatment intervention to help them cope with their conditions. This study explored the meaning of a Tshwane District community-based support group for MHC out-patients to help illuminate the value the group had for the members. A Social Constructionist epistemology informed the qualitative research approach. Data were collected by conducting semi-structured interviews and employing a collage-making method. The main themes illuminated by thematic analysis suggest that the group provided the members with a sense of belonging, mental and physical mobilisation and stimulation, a source of support, multiple learning experiences, and contributed to personal transformation and growth. / Psychology / M.A. (Social Science (Research Consultation))

High prevalence of mental illness in South African and limited Mental Health Care (MHC) resources call for ways to supplement the overburdened system to meet the rehabilitative and supportive needs of service users as stipulated in the MHC Act no. 17 of 2002. Various psychological, social, and financial difficulties plaguing MHC users require holistic treatment intervention to help them cope with their conditions. This study explored the meaning of a Tshwane District community-based support group for MHC out-patients to help illuminate the value the group had for the members. A Social Constructionist epistemology informed the qualitative research approach. Data were collected by conducting semi-structured interviews and employing a collage-making method. The main themes illuminated by thematic analysis suggest that the group provided the members with a sense of belonging, mental and physical mobilisation and stimulation, a source of support, multiple learning experiences, and contributed to personal transformation and growth. / Psychology / M.A. (S.S. (Research Consultation))