The influence of ethnic group composition on focus group discussions

Article


Greenwood, N., Ellmers, T. and Holley, J. 2014. The influence of ethnic group composition on focus group discussions. BMC Medical Research Methodology. 14. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-14-107
TypeArticle
TitleThe influence of ethnic group composition on focus group discussions
AuthorsGreenwood, N., Ellmers, T. and Holley, J.
Abstract

BACKGROUND:
Focus groups are commonly used to explore participants' experiences in health and social care research. Although it is suggested that having demographically homogenous groups may help put participants at ease, the evidence is sparse.The aims of the paper are to: explore the impact of relative ethnic homogeneity and heterogeneity of focus group participants on the group discussions; improve understanding of homogeneity and heterogeneity in focus groups; suggest ways to operationalise concepts such as being 'more comfortable' with other focus group participants.
METHOD:
Digitally recorded focus groups were undertaken with family carers of stroke survivors and were later transcribed and analysed using framework analysis. Groups were designated as more or less ethnically homogenous. More homogenous groups included, for example, only White British or Asian Indian participants whilst more heterogeneous groups comprised a mixture of, for example, Asian, White British and Black Caribbean participants.
RESULTS:
Forty-one carers participated in seven focus groups. Analysis revealed differences in discussions around ethnicity between the more or less ethnically homogenous groups. For example, participants in more ethnically homogenous focus groups were more likely to say ethnicity might influence perceptions of social care services. On the other hand, more heterogeneous groups emphasised similarity in carers' experiences, irrespective of ethnicity. Participants in the more homogenous groups were also more likely to make potentially controversial comments relating to ethnic differences. Additionally they appeared to be more at ease with each other discussing the topic. For example, they spontaneously mentioned ethnic differences earlier in these groups.In contrast, analysis of topics not specifically related to ethnicity, such as the difficult experiences of being a carer, produced no discernible patterns when comparing more and less homogenous focus groups.
CONCLUSION:
Considerations around focus group participant demographic homogeneity and heterogeneity are complex and these terms may be most usefully applied only in relative terms.Data derived from more homogenous groups complement data from more heterogeneous groups providing different perspectives. Depending on the focus of the discussion, having characteristics in common, such as being a carer can override other differences.

PublisherBioMed Central
JournalBMC Medical Research Methodology
ISSN1471-2288
Publication dates
Print20 Sep 2014
Publication process dates
Deposited22 Apr 2016
Accepted17 Sep 2014
Publisher's version
License
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-14-107
LanguageEnglish
Permalink -

https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/86498

Download files

  • 19
    total views
  • 7
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

The experience of long stay in high and medium secure psychiatric hospitals in England: qualitative study of the patient perspective
Holley, J., Weaver, T. and Völlm, B. 2020. The experience of long stay in high and medium secure psychiatric hospitals in England: qualitative study of the patient perspective. International Journal of Mental Health Systems. 14 (1), pp. 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-020-00358-7
A mixed-methods study exploring the characteristics and needs of long-stay patients in high and medium secure settings in England: implications for service organisation
Völlm, B., Edworthy, R., Holley, J., Talbot, E., Majid, S., Duggan, C., Weaver, T. and McDonald, R. 2017. A mixed-methods study exploring the characteristics and needs of long-stay patients in high and medium secure settings in England: implications for service organisation. NIHR Journals Library. https://doi.org/10.3310/hsdr05110
‘Dignity and respect’: An example of service user leadership and co‐production in mental health research
Faulkner, A., Carr, S., Gould, D., Khisa, C., Hafford-Letchfield, T., Cohen, R., Megele, C. and Holley, J. 2021. ‘Dignity and respect’: An example of service user leadership and co‐production in mental health research. Health Expectations. 24 (S1), pp. 10-19. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.12963
"Keeping Control": a user‐led exploratory study of mental health service user experiences of targeted violence and abuse in the context of adult safeguarding in England
Carr, S., Hafford-Letchfield, T., Faulkner, A., Megele, C., Gould, D., Khisa, C., Cohen, R. and Holley, J. 2019. "Keeping Control": a user‐led exploratory study of mental health service user experiences of targeted violence and abuse in the context of adult safeguarding in England. Health and Social Care in the Community. 27 (5), pp. e781-e792. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.12806
Mental health service user experiences of targeted violence and hostility and help-seeking in the UK: a scoping review
Carr, S., Holley, J., Hafford-Letchfield, T., Faulkner, A., Gould, D., Khisa, C. and Megele, C. 2017. Mental health service user experiences of targeted violence and hostility and help-seeking in the UK: a scoping review. Global Mental Health. 4. https://doi.org/10.1017/gmh.2017.22
Characteristics and pathways of long-stay patients in high and medium secure settings in England; a secondary publication from a large mixed-methods study
Völlm, B., Edworthy, R., Huband, N., Talbot, E., Majid, S., Holley, J., Furtado, V., Weaver, T., McDonald, R. and Duggan, C. 2018. Characteristics and pathways of long-stay patients in high and medium secure settings in England; a secondary publication from a large mixed-methods study. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00140
Improving health, well‐being and cognition in schizophrenia: making the case for physical activity
Crone, D., Tyson, P. and Holley, J. 1999. Improving health, well‐being and cognition in schizophrenia: making the case for physical activity. Journal of Public Mental Health. 9 (2). https://doi.org/10.5042/jpmh.2010.0380
Assessing satisfaction with social care services among black and minority ethnic and white British carers of stroke survivors in England
Greenwood, N., Holley, J., Ellmers, T., Bowling, A. and Cloud, G. 2015. Assessing satisfaction with social care services among black and minority ethnic and white British carers of stroke survivors in England. Health and Social Care in the Community. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.12298
Qualitative focus group study investigating experiences of accessing and engaging with social care services: perspectives of carers from diverse ethnic groups caring for stroke survivors
Greenwood, N., Holley, J., Ellmers, T., Mein, G. and Cloud, G. 2016. Qualitative focus group study investigating experiences of accessing and engaging with social care services: perspectives of carers from diverse ethnic groups caring for stroke survivors. BMJ Open. 6 (1). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009498
The impact of risk management practice upon the implementation of recovery-oriented care in community mental health services: a qualitative investigation
Holley, J., Chambers, M. and Gillard, S. 2016. The impact of risk management practice upon the implementation of recovery-oriented care in community mental health services: a qualitative investigation. Journal of Mental Health. 25 (4), pp. 315-322. https://doi.org/10.3109/09638237.2015.1124402
Peer worker roles and risk in mental health services: a qualitative comparative case study
Holley, J., Gillard, S. and Gibson, S. 2015. Peer worker roles and risk in mental health services: a qualitative comparative case study. Community Mental Health Journal. 51 (4), pp. 477-490. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-015-9843-y
Peer workers in mental health services: literature overview
Gillard, S. and Holley, J. 2014. Peer workers in mental health services: literature overview. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment. 20 (4), pp. 286-292. https://doi.org/10.1192/apt.bp.113.011940
The effects of physical activity on psychological well-being for those with schizophrenia: a systematic review
Holley, J., Crone, D., Tyson, P. and Lovell, G. 2011. The effects of physical activity on psychological well-being for those with schizophrenia: a systematic review. British Journal of Clinical Psychology. 50 (1), pp. 84-105. https://doi.org/10.1348/014466510X496220