This weeks #OTalk Research chat will be hosted by @ot_aicha and supported by @SamOTantha on the OTalk Account.
The importance of cultural identity and expression cannot be overstated, particularly for marginalized communities. In the UK, individuals who identify as Black African face unique challenges when accessing cultural occupations. Cultural occupations refer to the activities and practices that are rooted in culture and heritage, including food preparation, music, dance, and traditional clothing.
The research aimed to understand the lived experience of accessing cultural occupations for individuals who identify as Black African living in the UK. The study adopted a phenomenological design, which aimed to explore and describe the subjective experiences of the participants. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with participants, and interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to analyse the data.
The research findings showed that participant’s engagement in cultural occupations is dynamic and is centred on food co-occupations and self-care occupations. Food co-occupations refer to the act of cooking and sharing meals with family and friends, while self-care occupations refer to personal grooming and beauty practices for example at the hairdressers or barber shop. Participants reported that engaging in these cultural occupations helped them to maintain a sense of connection to their cultural heritage and identity.
However, the research also found that participants experienced barriers to engaging in cultural occupations, including occupational deprivation and occupational colonisation. Occupational deprivation refers to the lack of opportunity to engage in meaningful activities, which can have negative impacts on mental health and wellbeing. Occupational colonisation refers to the appropriation of cultural practices by dominant cultures, which can lead to the erasure of the original cultural meaning and significance.
The study’s findings suggest that there is a need for greater recognition and support for cultural occupations among Black African communities in the UK. This includes creating opportunities for individuals to engage in cultural activities and addressing the systemic barriers that prevent access to them.
Participants reported that cultural occupations are dynamic and adaptable. Therefore, it is important that occupational therapists working in communities with minority ethnic groups should be culturally competent, not only in their knowledge of different cultures but in their receptivity to understanding the individual needs of people from different cultural backgrounds.
In conclusion, this research highlights the importance of cultural occupations in maintaining a sense of cultural identity and heritage for Black African communities in the UK. The findings also demonstrate the need to address the systemic barriers that prevent access to cultural occupations and promote greater recognition and support for these occupations.
From the research process itself and its findings the followings questions will be used to discuss further during the chat.
- A phenomenological design was used to explore the lived experiences of Black African participants; why is the lived experience important within research?
- What ethical considerations should you be aware of when conducting research with participants from diverse cultural backgrounds?
- As a researcher how can you/ do you collaborate with community members and leaders to support participant involvement in research?
- How can you use research findings as an occupational therapist to advocate for greater recognition and support for cultural occupations among Black African communities and other marginalized groups?
- What further research needs or priorities do occupational therapists need to explore further occupational deprivation and occupational colonisation?
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