Building interdisciplinary/intersectoral research partnerships for community-based mental health research with older minority adults
Schensul, J.J.; Robison, J.; Reyes, C.; Radda, K.; Gaztambide, S.; Disch, W.
American Journal of Community Psychology 38(1-2): 79-93
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0091-0562 PMID: 16909316 DOI: 10.1007/s10464-006-9059-y
Accession: 048415936
Community-based research often brings investigators from different disciplinary backgrounds together with community representatives to conduct research on topics of mutual concern. This paper describes a case example that illustrates an interdisciplinary/intersectoral study of depression and barriers to mental health care among older adults and illustrate the factors central to implementing a successful research partnership. It will address the following conditions that facilitate and challenge interdisciplinary/intersectoral research: (1) achieving commonality of purpose in study design and research and referral approaches; (2) ensuring the ability to develop, field-test and implement psychometrically rigorous and culturally and qualitatively appropriate instruments; (3) building effective management structures for interdisciplinary/intersectoral research partnerships; and (4) identifying, training and supporting qualified researchers to carry out a mental health study with older ethnically diverse adults. The paper concludes with strengths and limitations of the approach.