Enhancing inter-professionality in the provision of mental health services for LGBT+ youth

Research Area: Social Inclusion and marginalised communities

Enhancing inter-professionality in the provision of mental health services for LGBT+ youth

This studentship will use Social Network Analysis (SNA) to examine the ways in which professionals are best able to support Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) people experiencing mental health challenges.

LGBT+ communities experience mental health challenges at a significantly higher rate than the general population. LGBT communities also report lower levels of satisfaction with the provision of mental health services and lower levels of access to co-ordinated and comprehensive care. There is little research on structural and systemic aspects of these disparities. Inter-professionality is a key concept in the provision of co-ordinated multi-disciplinary care. This project offers the opportunity to combine methodological innovation with a significant and pressing health and social care need.

The core methodology in the study would be the collection and analysis of personal social network graphs. These are visual and mathematical representations of the structure and dynamics of relationships between key individuals (alters) and a central individual (ego). Significantly the methodology examines both the relationships between the ego and alters and between alters. In this study the ego would be one or more young LGBT+ people experiencing mental health challenges and alters would be service providers and key social contacts.

Depending on the focus of the candidate, the design might be: a set of longitudinal case studies; a larger sample of cross-sectional case studies; a pre-post design focussing on a particular therapeutic intervention; a reflexive design where network graphs are discussed with the ego and alters; or a combination of these. Each of these designs would address significant gaps in our understanding.

The project would be supported by highly experienced research staff within ARU and would also draw on the expertise and support of major mental health professionals from Anna Freud Centre and University College London.

How to apply

To apply, you’ll need: A first class bachelor’s degree or a 2:1 bachelor’s degree and a masters at merit level or above. Equivalent awards will be considered. Qualifications must be relevant for the particular studentship you are applying for.

You can apply online via our Vice Chancellor’s PhD Studentships page (https://www.anglia.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research/phd-studentships). Under each project description you will find a link to the application form.

Full details of the application process and the terms and conditions can also be found on the above- page