Ameliorating epistemic injustice in practice: Communication strategies in a research project with refugee youth coresearchers

Abstract Introduction Many researchers want to include seldom involved groups, such as refugees and youth, in patient and public involvement (PPI), but experience a number of barriers. The PPI research community calls for critical evaluations that are prospective, data‐based and conducted by researc...

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Main Authors: Elin Inge, Anna Pérez‐Aronsson, Kalid Ibrahim, Reem Aljeshy, Anna Sarkadi, Georgina Warner
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-02-01
Series:Health Expectations
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13926
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author Elin Inge
Anna Pérez‐Aronsson
Kalid Ibrahim
Reem Aljeshy
Anna Sarkadi
Georgina Warner
author_facet Elin Inge
Anna Pérez‐Aronsson
Kalid Ibrahim
Reem Aljeshy
Anna Sarkadi
Georgina Warner
author_sort Elin Inge
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction Many researchers want to include seldom involved groups, such as refugees and youth, in patient and public involvement (PPI), but experience a number of barriers. The PPI research community calls for critical evaluations that are prospective, data‐based and conducted by researchers and public contributors together. In this study, we conducted a longitudinal evaluation of a core activity in all collaborations: communication strategies. The aim was to evaluate the communication strategies adopted throughout a research project with refugee youth coresearchers. Methods This article is based on the evaluation of a project where refugee youth were involved in the online adaptation of a group‐based programme for youth with posttraumatic stress. Behavioural observations and field notes collected during the project were analysed with qualitative content analysis and a readability index, and discussed through the lens of epistemic injustice. The article was cowritten by researchers and refugee youth. Findings Four manifest categories were identified: Facilitating engagement through coplanning and circumstantial flexibility; Different needs require different channels; It's not just about the channel—facilitation skills matter; Finding a common language opens a communicative flow. In addition, a latent underlying theme reflecting the role of trust was identified: Interactive moments facilitate trust—trust facilitates richer involvement. Conclusion At the core of the identified communication strategies were strengthening relationship‐building and actively facilitating involvement. Establishing trusting relationships enabled refugee youth to share input. The communication strategies increased hermeneutical justice by contributing to a common understanding; thus, taking a step towards ameliorating epistemic injustice. Patient or Public Contribution This article is a participatory analysis of a PPI process; it was written in collaboration between researchers and refugee youth coauthors, who were all previously involved in the evaluated project.
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spelling doaj-art-e0a16d2b9dac470ca13ab4e3fce3cd422025-08-23T11:53:03ZengWileyHealth Expectations1369-65131369-76252024-02-01271n/an/a10.1111/hex.13926Ameliorating epistemic injustice in practice: Communication strategies in a research project with refugee youth coresearchersElin Inge0Anna Pérez‐Aronsson1Kalid Ibrahim2Reem Aljeshy3Anna Sarkadi4Georgina Warner5Department of Public Health and Caring Science Child Health and Parenting (CHAP), Uppsala University Uppsala SwedenDepartment of Public Health and Caring Science Child Health and Parenting (CHAP), Uppsala University Uppsala SwedenDepartment of Public Health and Caring Science Child Health and Parenting (CHAP), Uppsala University Uppsala SwedenDepartment of Public Health and Caring Science Child Health and Parenting (CHAP), Uppsala University Uppsala SwedenDepartment of Public Health and Caring Science Child Health and Parenting (CHAP), Uppsala University Uppsala SwedenDepartment of Public Health and Caring Science Child Health and Parenting (CHAP), Uppsala University Uppsala SwedenAbstract Introduction Many researchers want to include seldom involved groups, such as refugees and youth, in patient and public involvement (PPI), but experience a number of barriers. The PPI research community calls for critical evaluations that are prospective, data‐based and conducted by researchers and public contributors together. In this study, we conducted a longitudinal evaluation of a core activity in all collaborations: communication strategies. The aim was to evaluate the communication strategies adopted throughout a research project with refugee youth coresearchers. Methods This article is based on the evaluation of a project where refugee youth were involved in the online adaptation of a group‐based programme for youth with posttraumatic stress. Behavioural observations and field notes collected during the project were analysed with qualitative content analysis and a readability index, and discussed through the lens of epistemic injustice. The article was cowritten by researchers and refugee youth. Findings Four manifest categories were identified: Facilitating engagement through coplanning and circumstantial flexibility; Different needs require different channels; It's not just about the channel—facilitation skills matter; Finding a common language opens a communicative flow. In addition, a latent underlying theme reflecting the role of trust was identified: Interactive moments facilitate trust—trust facilitates richer involvement. Conclusion At the core of the identified communication strategies were strengthening relationship‐building and actively facilitating involvement. Establishing trusting relationships enabled refugee youth to share input. The communication strategies increased hermeneutical justice by contributing to a common understanding; thus, taking a step towards ameliorating epistemic injustice. Patient or Public Contribution This article is a participatory analysis of a PPI process; it was written in collaboration between researchers and refugee youth coauthors, who were all previously involved in the evaluated project.https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13926communicationepistemic injusticeobservationspatient and public involvementqualitative researchrefugee
spellingShingle Elin Inge
Anna Pérez‐Aronsson
Kalid Ibrahim
Reem Aljeshy
Anna Sarkadi
Georgina Warner
Ameliorating epistemic injustice in practice: Communication strategies in a research project with refugee youth coresearchers
Health Expectations
communication
epistemic injustice
observations
patient and public involvement
qualitative research
refugee
title Ameliorating epistemic injustice in practice: Communication strategies in a research project with refugee youth coresearchers
title_full Ameliorating epistemic injustice in practice: Communication strategies in a research project with refugee youth coresearchers
title_fullStr Ameliorating epistemic injustice in practice: Communication strategies in a research project with refugee youth coresearchers
title_full_unstemmed Ameliorating epistemic injustice in practice: Communication strategies in a research project with refugee youth coresearchers
title_short Ameliorating epistemic injustice in practice: Communication strategies in a research project with refugee youth coresearchers
title_sort ameliorating epistemic injustice in practice communication strategies in a research project with refugee youth coresearchers
topic communication
epistemic injustice
observations
patient and public involvement
qualitative research
refugee
url https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13926
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