Mental health matters: a pilot study exploring the experiences and perspectives of individuals with complex communication needs

Watson, Eleanor; Raghavendra, Parimala; Crocker, Ruth

doi:10.1080/07434618.2021.1921845

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…In studies drawing upon the assistance of community interpreters, Edwards (2013) points to gatekeeping that can emerge from interpreters due to relational power dynamics that can exist in language communities where trust can be contingent and variable. The kinds of issues raised by Edwards (1998) appear to echo those earlier highlighted by Watson et al (2021), Kent-Walsh and McNaughton (2005) and Sevenhuijsen (2003) who point to issues of power and control from the assistant. Embedded hereto are similar issues of formal and informal interpreters, formal and informal communication assistants.…”

Section: Comparison With Language Interpreters In Qualitative Researchmentioning

confidence: 71%

“…There is also the possibility of care and support relationships leading to the urge to meddle or control others (Sevenhuijsen, 2003) as well as the problems that occur when using proxies (Ison, 2009;Lloyd et al, 2006) instead of the first-person. As indicated in a recent study of mental health access, communication partner practices, whether in service environments with health professionals or one's own home among family members or support workers, had the potential to either foster participants' help-seeking or diminish the person's concept of self-worth and contribute to poor mental health and wellbeing (Watson et al, 2021).…”

Section: Who Are Communication Assistants and How Can They Assist Qua...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Using Communication Assistants in Qualitative Health Research

Dee-Price

2023

Qual Health Res

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Qualitative health research is hampered by narrow constructs of human communication that privilege participants with access to spoken and written (normative) language. With limited awareness of such things as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) or the rights of people with complex communication access needs, qualitative research becomes a ‘picker and chooser’ of whose voices are included in studies and whose are not. In order for ‘voices’ to be heard, adaptations are required which include the acknowledgement and support of communication assistants (informal and formal) who can help provide a communication bridge between people with complex communication access needs and researcher(s). Yet little is known of who qualifies as a communication assistant nor the scope and limitations of this role in health research. Beginning with communication diversity arguments the article compares communication assistants with language interpreters before discussing practice and implications for health research.

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Section: Comparison With Language Interpreters In Qualitative Researchmentioning

confidence: 71%

Section: Who Are Communication Assistants and How Can They Assist Qua...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Communication Assistants in Qualitative Health Research

Dee-Price

2023

Qual Health Res

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Supporting Access to Mental Health Services for Patients Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication: A Proposed Framework and Suggestions for Future Directions

Noyes

Wilkinson

2022

Am J Speech Lang Pathol

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Purpose: The purpose of this review article is to examine interacting factors that affect the psychotherapeutic process for patients who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). This is examined from two perspectives: (a) how the skills and needs brought by the individual with communication disabilities influence the process of therapy and (b) how the individual's ecological systems may affect an individual's mental health and their access to mental health supports. Understanding these factors will guide future efforts aimed at ensuring that individuals with communication disorders have adequate access to services and supports for mental health. Method: A narrative synthesis approach was used to explore the interaction of psychotherapy and the use of AAC. Existing research in the fields of psychotherapy and speech-language pathology was examined for its relevance to issues of communication using AAC. Specifically, information was synthesized concerning mental health, prevalence rates of mental health diagnoses, the provision of traditional psychotherapy, and communicating via AAC in order to describe the intersection of psychotherapy and AAC. This narrative synthesis approach sought to initiate discussion of relevant factors that may affect the psychotherapeutic process for patients who use AAC. Results: A variety of factors may affect the psychotherapeutic process for patients who use AAC. Bronfenbrenner's (1977) Ecological Systems Theory was used to explore access to mental health services for individuals who use AAC at the levels of microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem. Such factors include alterations to communication between patient and psychotherapist, skills brought by the patient, involvement of a communication assistant and/or speech-language pathologist, education and skill level of the psychotherapist, appropriateness of billing codes, and system and policy factors that may affect the provision of mental health services to patients who use AAC. Conclusion: It is necessary to explore the factors that affect the provision of psychotherapy for patients who use AAC in order to more fully address the mental health needs of individuals with communication disorders. Further research is needed to determine the impacts of these factors and ways to address those impacts.

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A qualitative pilot study of adult AAC users’ experiences related to accessing and receiving mental health services

Noyes,

Wilkinson

2024

Augmentative and Alternative Communication

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Mental health matters: a pilot study exploring the experiences and perspectives of individuals with complex communication needs

Cited by 4 publications

References 22 publications

Using Communication Assistants in Qualitative Health Research

Using Communication Assistants in Qualitative Health Research

Supporting Access to Mental Health Services for Patients Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication: A Proposed Framework and Suggestions for Future Directions

A qualitative pilot study of adult AAC users’ experiences related to accessing and receiving mental health services

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