Understanding and improving the experience of claiming social security for mental health problems in the west of Scotland: a participatory social welfare study

Ploetner, C., Telford, M., Braekkan, K., Mullen, K., Turnbull, S., Gumley, A. and Allan, S. (2020) Understanding and improving the experience of claiming social security for mental health problems in the west of Scotland: a participatory social welfare study. Journal of Community Psychology, 48(3), pp. 675-692. (doi: 10.1002/jcop.22278) (PMID:31730711)

Abstract

A growing body of literature links claimant interactions with the UK social security system and negative psychological consequences. Psychologists for social change developed a framework to outline proposed mechanisms of psychological impact from austerity. This codesigned study aimed to make an informed comment on areas of dis(agreement) between the Austerity Ailments framework and how people claiming for mental health problems describe their own experiences. In line with the participatory social welfare design of the study, qualitative analysis was performed by both claimants and academics. The overall findings indicate that existing framework mostly captured claimant experiences. However, some aspects of the claimant experience (particularly social aspects) were not well captured. Claimants were keen to utilise this study as an opportunity to gather claimant ideas on how to improve the system. Therefore, we report their suggestions that may be useful for those designing and improving social welfare systems

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Funding information: University of Glasgow, Grant/Award Number:200160083
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Turnbull, Dr Susan and Mullen, Dr Kenneth and Allan, Ms Stephanie and Gumley, Professor Andrew
• Authors: Ploetner, C., Telford, M., Braekkan, K., Mullen, K., Turnbull, S., Gumley, A., and Allan, S.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing; College of Science and Engineering > School of Psychology
• Journal Name: Journal of Community Psychology
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 0090-4392
• ISSN (Online): 1520-6629
• Published Online: 15 November 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
• First Published: First published in Journal of Community Psychology 48(3): 675-692
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy