City Research Online

Abstract

The barriers to mental health help-seeking amongst young Jamaican men from working-class backgrounds in the United Kingdom are underexplored, despite evidence indicating their significant vulnerability to poor mental health outcomes. Research highlights that sociocultural norms of masculinity discourage help-seeking behaviours by promoting self-reliance and emotional suppression (O’Neil, 2008; Mahalik & Dagirmanjian, 2019). Additionally, systemic inequities, such as socioeconomic marginalisation and racial discrimination, continue to compound these challenges for minoritised groups (Bhui et al., 2018). This study sought to address this gap by exploring the lived experiences of young Jamaican men navigating mental health support.

Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with six Jamaican men aged 18 - 35, from working-class backgrounds. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) methodology was employed, adopting a critical realist epistemological stance. Analyses captured three group experiential or ‘main’ themes (GET’s) encapsulating participants’ experiences: Incongruent, capturing identity conflict and the dissonance between emotional needs and sociocultural expectations; Heavy is the Head, highlighting challenges in recognising and expressing mental health struggles; and I am an Island, illustrating self-reliance and mistrust of (formal) external sources of mental health support.

Findings have indicated that sociocultural and systemic barriers significantly influenced help-seeking behaviours, underscoring the need for culturally tailored mental health interventions. Suggested approaches included employing dually trained healthcare and wellness professionals, integrating physical activity, and reframing therapy as self-development to align with the cultural values of resilience and self-efficacy amongst these men. Additional recommendations involved utilising trusted community networks and promoting mental health literacy within social connections. Theoretical, clinical, and research implications are explored, along with identified limitations and directions for future research.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races R Medicine
Departments:	School of Health & Medical Sciences School of Health & Medical Sciences > Psychology Doctoral Theses

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