Abstract
Forcibly displaced people (FDP) are more likely to experience mental health difficulties than general host populations and face more barriers in accessing support. Cultural brokerage (CBg) can reduce some of the barriers FDP experience in relation to mental health support, through reducing cultural misunderstandings. This thesis explores current conceptualisations and experiences of CBg when working with FDP in mental health contexts. Part A is a conceptual review that explores the contexts from which CBg has emerged. It focuses on cultural brokers (CBs) supporting FDP’s mental health in sectors such as health, education and disability and synthesises these different CB enactments. Findings indicate that CBs fulfil facilitative roles within a CB-professional-FDP triad, but these roles can extend to include other services and support to additional community links. There are also instances in which CBs are providing direct intervention to support FDP. Part B is a thematic analysis of mental health clinicians’ understanding of CBg in interpreter-mediated therapy (IMT). Findings indicate that CBg is present, but not consistent, in IMT, and is influenced by clinician, interpreter, and FDP factors. Both parts of the thesis consider implications for the potential future application of CBs within mental healthcare in the UK.