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This paper explores the potential impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on people's perceptions of cohesion in their local communities; particularly for vulnerable groups/communities, such as ethnic minorities or those living in highly deprived neighbourhoods. To this end, we examine both trends over time in overall levels of cohesion as well as patterns of positive and negative changes experienced by individuals using nationally representative data from Understanding Society Study. We test whether rates of positive-/negative-change in cohesion over the pandemic-period differed across socio-demographic groups and neighbourhood characteristics. These trends are then compared to patterns of positive-/negative-change over time experienced in earlier periods to test whether the pandemic was uniquely harmful. We show that the overall levels of social cohesion are lower in June 2020 compared to all of the examined pre-pandemic periods. The decline of perceived-cohesion is particularly high in the most deprived communities, among certain ethnic minority groups and among the lower-skilled. Our findings suggest that the pandemic put higher strain on social-resources among vulnerable groups and communities, who also experienced more negative changes in other areas of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the roles of migration and group-specific ethnic penalties in minority groups’ life chances. In relation to existing knowledge of extensive diversity between ethnic groups, and outlining a range of frameworks within which to understand that diversity, the paper first explores the relationship of class origins to parental educational and economic assets for three groups of migrant parentage and a comparison white non-migrant group. Second, the paper investigates for the different ethnic groups how the probability of having a professional or managerial class outcome is influenced by class origins and by the educational achievements of the “second generation”. Analysis is based on the ONS Longitudinal Study, which enables the study members to be tracked from 1971, when they were children living with their parents, to their own social class outcomes in 1991 and 2001. Because processes of occupational achievement may take different lengths of time for different groups, occupational outcomes are modelled in both 1991 and 2001, and also outcomes in 2001 conditional on position in 1991. The paper shows that there is evidence of differential processes operating for different ethnic groups that go beyond their class background, but which cannot be attributed to discrimination operating equally against all minority groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Much has been written about the importance of involving service users in the research process. Far less is available about the experience of involvement from the perspective of service users themselves. The present paper is a joint account by service users and researchers of a service users’ advisory group set up to support and advise a project to evaluate diabetes services in Bradford, UK. The establishment of a separate advisory group for service users is, to our knowledge, an innovative approach to lay involvement within mainstream National Health Service (NHS)-based research. Factors that contributed to the group's success included personal contact, continuity of membership and integration into the management structure of the project. Also valued were the confidence in numbers which membership of the group gave, and the opportunity to meet and discuss issues away from the formal and somewhat intimidating atmosphere of the project's steering group. Aside from the personal value to participants and any impact on the quality of research outcomes, wider benefits included the ability to share knowledge with others and gain greater intercultural understanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines some of the key cultural concepts and relevant historical factors that may shape the development of Anglo-Cypriot gay identity. Accounts of sexual identity experiences provided by second generation Greek and Turkish Cypriot gay men in London are examined in the light of this analysis to explore how these men negotiate Anglo-Cypriot and gay identity. Twenty-eight self-identified second generation Greek and Turkish gay men living in London were recruited by advertising in the gay press, by writing to community groups, and gay groups and organizations and by 'snowballing'. In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with those men recruited through these channels. Data were subjected to interpretative phenomenological analysis. The personal accounts of these men demonstrate that their sexual identity does not always become their primary identity and that different identities are constructed by individuals at different places and times. Most men indicated that the translation of their sexual desires and behaviors into the 'political statement' of gay identity is not only difficult but is strongly resisted. Instead they chose to construct their identity in terms of their relationships with their families, their peers at work and other members of their community. The findings of this research may help develop an understanding of the complexities surrounding the 'sexual and cultural' identities of Anglo-Cypriot gay men, thereby reinforcing the notion that identity is multiple, contested and contextual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Portsmouth Museums and Records Service and its partners The University of Portsmouth and the Portsmouth Royal Dockyard Historical Trust have twice successfully applied to the Heritage Lottery Fund for support for oral history projects. This paper describes how the first, Oral History in Portsmouth, was planned in 1999-2000, the modifications made to it as a result of the HLF's demands, how the project ran in practice, how that experience directed a new application to the HLF in 2003, and the changes the HLF requested to this new application before granting it in 2004. It outlines our perceptions of the changes in the HLF's policy over this five years and draws lessons from our successes and failures in running the first project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about the lives of parents with intellectual disabilities from minority ethnic communities. Previous research suggests that what it means to live with intellectual disabilities varies across cultural contexts. The current research aimed to explore how cultural values and practices impact upon the experiences of parents with intellectual disabilities within the Bangladeshi community in London, England. Method: Six members of the Bangladeshi community, four Bangladeshi parents with intellectual disabilities and four of their family members were interviewed. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes. Results: Both parenting and intellectual disability are thought about in this community in ways that make parenting more accessible for people with learning disabilities, but also create tensions to be negotiated. Conclusions: Bangladeshi family carers face dilemmas balancing the benefits and risks of promoting parenting for sons and daughters with intellectual disabilities, particularly in the context of service principles of autonomy and informed consent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiences of men facing fertility disruptions are understudied. For British Pakistanis, the impact of infertility is heightened for women because of normative pressures to bear children. But what of men? I present data from in-depth interviews in North East England with infertile British Pakistani Muslims and relevant health professionals. British Pakistani men's level of participation in clinical encounters and responses to diagnoses of male factor infertility must be understood in the context of kinship, the construction of Pakistani ethnicity in the UK, and the subordinated forms of masculinity which accompany this identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: After the first year of life, cancers are the commonest cause of death in children. Incidence rates vary between ethnic groups, and recent advances in data linkage allow for a more accurate estimation of these variations. Identifying such differences may help identify potential risk or protective factors for certain childhood cancers. This study thus aims to ascertain whether such differences do indeed exist using nationwide data across seven years, as have previously been described in adult cancers.Methods: We obtained data for all cancer registrations for children (aged 0-14) in England from January 2001 to December 2007. Ethnicity (self-assigned) was established through record linkage to the Hospital Episodes Statistics database or cancer registry data. Cancers were classified morphologically according to the International Classification of Childhood Cancer into four groups - leukaemias; lymphomas; central nervous system; and other solid tumours. Age standardised incidence rates were estimated for each ethnic group, as well as incidence rate ratios comparing each individual ethnic group (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Black African, Black Carribean, Chinese) to Whites, adjusting for sex, age and deprivation.Results: The majority of children in the study are UK born. Black children (RR = 1.18, 99% CI: 1.01-1.39), and amongst South Asians, Pakistani children (RR = 1.19, 99% CI: 1.02-1.39) appear to have an increased risk of all cancers. There is an increased risk of leukaemia in South Asians (RR = 1.31, 99% CI: 1.08-1.58), and of lymphoma in Black (RR = 1.72, 99% CI: 1.13-2.63) and South Asian children (RR = 1.51, 99% CI: 1.10-2.06). South Asians appear to have a decreased risk of CNS cancers (RR = 0.71, 99% CI: 0.54-0.95).Conclusions: In the tradition of past migrant studies, such descriptive studies within ethnic minority groups permit a better understanding of disease incidence within the population, but also allow for the generation of hypotheses to begin to understand why such differences might exist. Though a major cause of mortality in this age group, childhood cancer remains a relatively rare disease; however, the methods used here have permitted the first nationwide estimation of childhood cancer by individual ethnic group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: South Asian older adults access services for mental health problems and dementia less than other older people in the UK, unlike for physical health problems. This pilot study investigated how South Asians with self-defined memory problems, with and without GP consultation, construe the symptoms, causes, consequences and treatment of the condition.Methods: Participants were recruited through community centres, their networks and memory clinics in Greater Manchester. The newly developed Barts Explanatory Model Inventory for Dementia (BEMI-D) was administered to 33 (18 M, 15 F) older South Asians aged 65 or above with memory problems in English, Gujarati or Urdu. Furthermore, cognition, executive function and depression were assessed.Results: Perceptions of dementia varied by GP consultation for memory problems. A greater proportion of older adults without a consultation considered memory problems to be given by God, saw acceptance of fate as an alternative treatment and did not identify medical support as appropriate. Forgetfulness and loss of social meaning were identified as symptoms of dementia more by those with a consultation. Higher levels of diabetes, heart disease and depression were found in those without a consultation.Conclusions: Differences in perceptions may influence the decision about consulting a GP. Similarly, consultation for memory problems appears linked to extent physical health problems and mental health consultation (depression). These variations reported on a small scale in this pilot study suggest the need to explore the impact of perceptions on rates of GP consultation, so as to improve timely diagnosis and access to appropriate services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite similar prevalence rates across ethnicities, ethnic minorities with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are under-represented in research and clinical settings. The reasons for this disproportion have been sparsely studied. We explored potential differences in illness perception, help-seeking attitudes, illness knowledge, and causal attributions that could help explain the lower uptake of treatment for OCD amongst ethnic minorities.Methods: Two-hundred and ninety-three parents (139 White British, 61 Black African, 46 Black Caribbean, and 47 Indian) were recruited from the general population in South-East London, UK. Using a text vignette methodology, participants completed a survey including questions on illness perception, help-seeking attitudes, OCD knowledge, and causal attributions.Results: The groups did not differ in socio-demographic characteristics and family history of OCD. White British parents perceived that the OCD difficulties would have more negative impact on their children and that treatment would be more helpful, compared to the ethnic minorities; the largest differences were observed between White British and Indian parents. Ethnic minorities were more prone to say that would seek help from their religious communities. Black African parents were more in favor of not seeking help for the described difficulties and, in general, perceived more treatment barriers. White British parents seemed to be better informed about OCD than ethnic minority parents.Conclusions: The results offer some plausible explanations for the large inequalities in access to services amongst ethnic minorities with OCD. Clinicians and policy-makers need to be aware of these socio-cultural factors when designing strategies to encourage help-seeking behaviors in these populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. South Asian and Black ethnic minorities in the UK have higher rates of acceptance onto renal replacement therapy (RRT) than Caucasians. Registry studies in the USA and Canada show better survival; there are few data in the UK. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The current study examined the prevalence of and motivation for drug and alcohol use among black African minorities in England. Participants, comprising 82 males (i.e., 71.9%) and 32 females (i.e., 28.1%), aged 18 to 60 years, were recruited through contact on the streets, and from recreation centres, bus stations, train stations, and shopping centres in Liverpool, Manchester, and London. A self-report anonymous questionnaire covering drug and alcohol use and measures of impulsivity (i.e., sensation seeking, lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance and urgency) was administered. Although the results suggest a low level of illicit drug use, a significant number of the participants admitted to alcohol use. While predicting the motivation for alcohol use via the Whiteside and Lynam (2001) measures of impulsivity, a lack of premeditation was significantly attributed to motivation for alcohol use among the participants. Other impulsivity measures, such as sensation seeking, urgency, and lack of perseverance, do not appear to be significant predictors of alcohol use, but there were significant relationships between urgency, lack of premeditation and patterns of alcohol use. The implications of the findings in terms of policy formulation on drug treatment services are emphasised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To reflect on recent proposed tobacco control initiatives in the socio-cultural context of the smoking behaviours of UK resident Bangladeshi men. Design. Cross-sectional study using focus groups and one-to-one interviews conducted in English and Sylheti. Eighty-one men, aged 18-64 years, were recruited from the Bangladeshi community of Tower Hamlets, London, during 2002. Participants were purposively selected to reflect their age, place of birth and tobacco-use status. The discussions were tape-recorded and subsequently transcribed. The transcripts were analysed using 'framework' principles. Three of the current themes for tobacco control - smoke-free workplace environments, access to alternative sources of tobacco, and use and availability of nicotine replacement therapy - were used to organise the data. Results. Smoking initiation and use was confirmed as linked to gender, age, religion and tradition. Continued smoking was supported by anxieties about harassment in younger respondents, the migration experience of older respondents, and the unskilled employment opportunities available in the restaurant trade. These employment opportunities, whilst providing social support, did not support smoking regulations, in contrast to the practices observed in the general employment market. Levels of knowledge about the health risks of smoking varied by age. Three cheaper alternative tobacco types were readily accessible for use: contraband, roll-ups and traditional chewing tobacco in paan (chewing tobacco mixed with areca nut rolled in a betel leaf). Despite the latter's associations with use by women, younger respondents described the transition to chewing tobacco in paan as a smoking cessation aid instead of nicotine replacement therapy. There was confusion about the purpose, availability and efficacy of nicotine replacement therapy. Respondents reported isolation and marginalisation from current tobacco control initiatives, including much NHS Stop Smoking Service provision. Conclusion. The socio-cultural context of the smoking behaviours of this group of Bangladeshi men was linked to a reported isolation and exclusion from current tobacco control initiatives. These initiatives should be inclusive and address the reported needs of this community. The findings have implications for service development. Addressing these findings will help to inform the implementation of relevant public health policy initiatives for tobacco control to meet the needs of this community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnic minorities' spatial concentration and their predominance in deprived areas are two well‐known patterns that characterise Britain's social landscape. However, little is known about ethnic minorities' opportunities for spatial integration, especially those of the second generations. Using a large‐scale longitudinal data set of England and Wales covering a 40‐year period (1971–2011), in combination with aggregated census data, the article examines ethnic inequalities in access to neighbourhoods with varying levels of ethnic concentration and deprivation. On equality of individual, social origin, and childhood neighbourhood characteristics, second generation ethnic minorities are less likely than White British individuals to reside in "whiter" and less deprived neighbourhoods. For most minorities, these differences reduce among those with higher education and a higher social class, in line with weak place stratification/ethnic enclave. Growing up in areas with high ethnic concentration and high deprivation has a particularly strong "retention effect" among second generation Asians. The study shows that ethnic spatial segregation is, in part, the product of time‐persisting ethnic inequalities in the access to neighbourhoods and that these inequalities are conditioned both by childhood and by adult resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Improving access to sexual healthcare is a priority in the UK, especially for ethnic minorities. Though South Asians in the UK report low levels of sexual ill health, few data exist regarding their use of genitourinary medicine (GUM) services.Objectives: To describe reasons for attendance at GUM clinics among individuals of South Asian origin relative to patients of other ethnicities.Methods: 4600 new attendees (5% South Asian; n=226) at seven sociodemographically and geographically contrasting GUM clinics across England completed a questionnaire between October 2004 and March 2005, which were linked to routine clinical data.Results: South Asians were more likely than other groups to be signposted to the GUM clinic by another health service-for example, in women 14% versus 8% respectively (p=0.005) reported doing so from a family planning clinic. These women also reported that they would be less likely to go to the clinic if their symptoms resolved spontaneously compared with other women (51% vs 31%, p=0.024). However, relative to other clinic attendees, no differences in the proportions of South Asians who had acute STI(s) diagnosed at clinic were noted. Furthermore, South Asian men were more likely to report as their reason for attendance that they wanted an HIV test (23.4% vs 14.8%, p=0.005).Conclusion: Despite having similar STI care needs to attendees from other ethnic groups, South Asians, especially women, may be reluctant to seek care from GUM clinics, especially if their symptoms resolve. Sexual health services need to develop locally-delivered and culturally-appropriate initiatives to improve care pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]