Co-producing social inclusion: the structure/agency conundrum

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Nursing
• Social Inclusion Studies
• Healthcare Policy

Background:

• Policy guidelines emphasize increasing social inclusion for mental health service users.
• A universally accepted definition and empirical evidence for social inclusion outcomes are lacking.
• Existing social, economic, and political structures contribute to social exclusion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a social inclusion framework for mental health professionals and service users.
• To facilitate the co-production of socially inclusive outcomes.
• To explore the challenges in overcoming structural barriers to social inclusion.

Main Methods:

• Development of a social inclusion framework.
• Conceptual analysis of the structure/agency conundrum in co-production.
• Literature review on social inclusion and mental health policy.

Main Results:

• A framework is proposed to assist in co-producing social inclusion.
• The study highlights the gap between policy intentions and empirical evidence.
• The limitations of co-production in overcoming deep-seated social exclusion are recognized.

Conclusions:

• A co-produced social inclusion framework can aid mental health professionals and service users.
• Overcoming structural social exclusion requires understanding the structure/agency interplay.
• Further research is needed on empirically validated, socially inclusive outcomes in mental health care.