Mitigating the identity and health threat of COVID-19: Perspectives of Middle-Class South Asians living in the UK

Hanson, Kristin; O’Dwyer, Emma; Chaudhura, Sharmistha; Sousa, Luiz Gustavo Silva; Vandrevala, Tushna

doi:10.1101/2021.03.30.21254537

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 28 publications

(24 reference statements)

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“…The ‘them versus us’ narrative, where ethnic minority participants aligned their identity with the White British majority is seen in ‘identity threat’ literature, where people who are involuntarily labelled will distance themselves from that label and align with a non-threatening group. 34,35 Participants rejected the ‘ethnic minority’ categorisation, which has negative connotations with disadvantage, and presented an alternative identity, distancing themselves from that label and aligning with the majority group. A recent study exploring perspectives of middle-class South Asians living in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic showed participants aligned their identity with the British majority and asserted little difference between the South Asian and white population based on ethnicity alone.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A recent study exploring perspectives of middle-class South Asians living in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic showed participants aligned their identity with the British majority and asserted little difference between the South Asian and white population based on ethnicity alone. 35 When it came to risk of COVID-19, they also drew distinctions between themselves and other people from South Asian communities. For example, they blamed others for their increased COVID risk and described how new immigrants followed less healthy habits, leading to increased risk of contracting the virus.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring the experiences of people and family carers from under-represented groups in self-managing Parkinson's disease and their use of digital health to do this

Nimmons¹,

Armstrong²,

Pigott³

et al. 2022

DIGITAL HEALTH

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Introduction Digital health is thought to enable people to better manage chronic conditions, such as Parkinson's. However, little is known about how people from under-represented groups with chronic conditions use digital health to self-manage. Objective The objective of our study was to explore the experiences of people and family carers from under-represented groups in self-managing Parkinson's, including their use of digital health to do this. Methods Semi-structured interviews (n = 18, including four dyadic) were conducted remotely, with 16 people with Parkinson's and six family carers in 2020–2021. Participants were purposively sampled from under-represented groups: belong to an ethnic minority, or having significant physical or sensory impairment. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Results Three main themes of importance were developed: ‘self-management support’, ‘digital health use to support self-management’ and ‘identity, attitudes and characteristics’. Participants received medical, psychological, social and practical self-management support. Some participants used digital health resources, e.g., Parkinson's UK website. Digital literacy was the biggest barrier to using digital health, regardless of background, often dependant on previous occupation and confidence. Few ethnic minority participants thought race or culture alters self-management ability and most believed there was no need for digital health interventions to be tailored to an individual's race or culture. Some felt inclusivity was important in terms of diverse images of people. A range of considerations were identified to optimise digital health, such as assistive equipment for people with sensory impairment. Conclusions Barriers to using digital health for self-management were primarily dependent on personal factors including digital literacy and attitudes but rarely race or culture. We recommend the optimisation of digital health interventions by providing assistive technology at low cost, and visual inclusiveness should be promoted by including images of people from diverse backgrounds.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the experiences of people and family carers from under-represented groups in self-managing Parkinson's disease and their use of digital health to do this

Nimmons¹,

Armstrong²,

Pigott³

et al. 2022

DIGITAL HEALTH

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Unpacking COVID-19 and Conspiracy Theories in the UK Black Community

Vandrevala

Hendy

Hanson

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Objectives. Conspiracy theories are associated with significant COVID-19 health consequences including lower engagement with protective behaviours. This study uses sensemaking theory, a process of constructing meanings through interpersonal exchanges that enable people to interpret their world to explain the theoretical process underlying the development of conspiratorial beliefs around COVID-19 within Black African and Caribbean communities in the UK. Design. Qualitative, in-depth interviews were used. Methods. Twenty-eight members of the communities were recruited; semi-structured interviews were analysed using grounded theory. Results. Our findings provide an explanation of how an environment of crisis combined with current and historical mistrust, perceived injustice and inequality provided a context in which alternative conspiracy narratives could thrive. The nature of these conspiratorial beliefs made more sense to many of our respondents than institutional sources (such as the UK Government). Critically, these alternative beliefs helped respondents shape their decision-making, leading to non-engagement with COVID protective behaviours. Conclusions. We conclude that the uncertainty of the pandemic, combined with historical and contemporary perceived injustice and mistrust, and a lack of specific identity-aligned messaging, created a perfect environment for conspiratorial sense-making to thrive. This alternative sensemaking was inconsistent with the health-protection messaging espoused by Government. To ensure all groups in society are protected, and for health promotion messages to take purchase, the experiences of different target audiences must be taken into account, with sensemaking anchored in lived experience.

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COVID-19 health information needs of older adults from ethnic minority groups in the UK: a qualitative study

et al. 2022

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ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify the COVID-19 health information needs of older adults from ethnic minority groups in the UK.Study designA qualitative study using semistructured interviews.Setting and participantsIndian and Nepalese older adults (≥65 years), their families (≥18 years) and healthcare professionals (HCPs) (≥18 years) engaging with these communities. Participants were recruited between July and December 2020 from Kent, Surrey and Sussex through community organisations.Results24 participants took part in the study; 13 older adults, 7 family members and 4 HCPs. Thirteen participants were female, and the majority (n=17) spoke a language other than English at home. Older participants mostly lived in multigenerational households, and family and community were key for providing support and communicating about healthcare needs. Participants’ knowledge of COVID-19 varied widely; some spoke confidently about the subject, while others had limited information. Language and illiteracy were key barriers to accessing health information. Participants highlighted the need for information in multiple formats and languages, and discussed the importance of culturally appropriate avenues, such as community centres and religious sites, for information dissemination.ConclusionThis study, undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic, provides insight into how health information can be optimised for ethnic minority older adults in terms of content, format and cultural relevance. The study highlights that health information interventions should recognise the intersection between multigenerational living, family structure, and the health and well-being of older adults, and should promote intergenerational discussion.

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Mitigating the identity and health threat of COVID-19: Perspectives of Middle-Class South Asians living in the UK

Cited by 3 publications

References 28 publications

Exploring the experiences of people and family carers from under-represented groups in self-managing Parkinson's disease and their use of digital health to do this

Exploring the experiences of people and family carers from under-represented groups in self-managing Parkinson's disease and their use of digital health to do this

Unpacking COVID-19 and Conspiracy Theories in the UK Black Community

COVID-19 health information needs of older adults from ethnic minority groups in the UK: a qualitative study

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