Cross-Cultural Study of Recovery in People with Schizophrenia: Methodology

AbstractRecovery defines a positive and empowering experience for people with Schizophrenia. The cultural environment could be a crucial determinant of this innately personal experience. The concept of recovery is said to have originated in the Western world. The Western notions of recovery may not be entirely relevant in the East, which is seen as different from the West in various aspects like a person ’s identity as an individual, family structure and dynamics, religious and spiritual orientations, and access to quality health and welfare services. Definition of recovery accommodating a range of social and cultural factors is challenging. This paper discusses the constructivist grounded theory methodology of a qualitative research project to explore the Schizophrenia recovery experience in India and Australia, representing the Eastern and the Western cultures, respectively. Individual in-depth interviews and focus groups engaging people with Schizophrenia, their family members and mental health service providers will provide the data. The researchers’ interpretive understanding of the participants’ views and voices emerging from the data will form the base for theory construction. The knowledge emerging from the study can inform a culturally appropriate application of the recove ry principles in the mental health care of people with Schizophrenia.
Source: Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Mental Health - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research