Research as intervention within community mental health

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Research
• Social Sciences

Background:

• Research in mental health settings is inherently an intervention.
• Mental health workers require sensitivity to research-related concerns.
• Participatory research is increasingly popular in mental health programs for its empowering potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss issues concerning the nature of research in mental health.
• To examine the implications of participatory research, including decision-making and researcher roles.
• To critically review intervention-type research procedures.

Main Methods:

• Discussion and debate on the nature of research interventions.
• Critical review of needs assessment and evaluation as intervention-type research.
• Analysis of epistemological views influencing researcher stances.

Main Results:

• Knowledge generated in research is a social construction.
• Research interactions between researchers and participants shape knowledge.
• Research has instrumental, conceptual, and persuasive uses.

Conclusions:

• Research, like all interventions, demands careful planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
• The meaning of participation and decision-making processes in participatory research require scrutiny.
• Researchers may need to adapt from an 'objective informer' role to one requiring social action.