Ethnic Variations in Health and Social Service Use and Mental Health Outcomes of Unpaid Family Caregivers in Wales

The primary aim of this research is to investigate and understand the influence of ethnicity on the utilisation of health and social services and the subsequent mental health outcomes for (typically) unpaid family caregivers in Wales. The secondary aim is to examine ethnic group variations in beliefs about illness, family caregiving and healthcare that influence service utilisation.

Taken together, the purpose of this research will be to derive recommendations for ways to ensure caregivers, irrespective of their ethnic backgrounds, have equitable and fair access to the support services required, to maintain their mental health and support the sustainability of informal care systems in Wales.

This study will address this gap by providing insights into the differences in the utilisation of healthcare services and mental health outcomes of unpaid family caregivers from diverse ethnic groups in Wales. The following research questions will be answered in this study: Are there patterns of ethnic variations in health and social care service usage?

To what extent do unpaid family caregivers in Wales encounter stigma or discrimination while accessing health and social care services? What are the perceived barriers faced by caregivers from various ethnic groups in accessing healthcare services in Wales? What are the specific mental health outcomes experienced by unpaid family caregivers

from diverse ethnic backgrounds in Wales? What are the variations in the levels of support available to unpaid family caregivers from diverse ethnic backgrounds in Wales? 6. What is the association between ethnicity with well-being among unpaid family caregivers?

This research will employ a mixed-methods approach, including quantitative analysis of health and social service utilisation patterns and mental health outcomes among caregivers from different ethnic groups in Wales. The first phase of the study will involve the analysis of secondary data from national databases (SAIL) to examine the relationship between ethnicity, social class, and health service utilisation.

These data will be triangulated where possible with mental health data (Welsh Health Survey SF36). Following this quantitative analysis and to develop an understanding of the underlying influences on service use (such as a culturally informed understanding of illness, mental health, and service provision), structured interviews and focus groups will be conducted to elicit qualitative experiential data regarding the perceived barriers to accessing healthcare services, the experience of stigma or discrimination in accessing health and social care services in Wales.