The Influence of Language and Culture on Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) for Pakistani, Somali, and Yemeni Patients in Sheffield: Spiritual Beliefs and Emotions

Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) is an initiative implemented by the Department of Health in 2006 to achieve better health objectives for patients who suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. According to studies undertaken by the Department of Health and the National Institute of Health Research in 2009 and 2011, Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) populations face additional barriers involving language, culture or faith that prevent them from fully benefiting from psychological therapies. The current study was designed to expand the knowledge base and explore Pakistani, Somali and Yemeni (PSY) patients’ articulations of therapy in the Sheffield area, in order to better understand the language and cultural challenges that they may face when accessing IAPT. An interpretive approach using qualitative data collection methods including questionnaire, direct observations and in-depth semi-structured interviews has been used in order to understand the meaning of the intercultural communication encounter. Each method has been planned to unfold specific dimensions of the research questions and generate different meanings and understanding of the phenomenon under study. The results were interpreted using content and thematic analysis. The present study shows variations in the groups’ perceptions of therapy linked to the use of negative vocabularies which appeared to influence the attitudes towards seeking help. Additionally, the different communication methods used to express emotional feelings unfolded layers of cultural and religious beliefs that were not easily conveyed or translated in some cases. More importantly, religion was found to be an important source of help for PSY groups and represented a significant challenge for Non-Muslim therapists as they were often entangled with cultural views. Achieving successful communication with patients appears to involve engaging with their different perspectives and negotiating the making of meaning and language in context as well as reviewing positive practice guidelines in order to address the culturally specific issues outlined in the current study.