Research Title:
Exploring the impact of spiritual and cultural beliefs and practices on sexual agency for women from the English-speaking Caribbean who live in the United Kingdom.
Principal investigator:
Laura West
About the researcher:
Hi, my name is Laura. I am a dual national of St Kitts & Nevis and the UK, and a psychology researcher with a keen interest in Caribbean history, culture, and spirituality. I grew up in a traditional Caribbean household in the UK, later moving to St Kitts at the age of 14 where I completed secondary school. I later returned to the UK, completing a BA Hons in Caribbean History at London Metropolitan University, and an MSc in Psychology at Leeds Trinity University. I am currently in my second year of a PhD research degree in Psychology at The University of Huddersfield. This qualitative research is part of the PhD programme.
Research Objective:
This project investigates the relationship between non-religious spirituality and female sexual agency in women from the Anglophone Caribbean, by birth or descent, who reside in the United Kingdom.
Affiliation:
University of Huddersfield
Research proposal abstract
Exploring female sexual agency for women in the UK Caribbean community is important due to the current data and statistics on sexual and reproductive health and well-being for this group in the United Kingdom.
In a 2021 report on sexual health and well-being, Public Health England identified that the highest rates of STI diagnoses across all ethnicities in England were among Black Caribbean people (excluding data on other Caribbean groups). Public Health England identified that “empowerment among women was seen as fundamental to them being able to negotiate with their sexual partners”. Self-empowerment in particular was seen as an important precursor for taking ownership of one’s personal sexual health and wellbeing to improve sexual health statistics within this group.
Previous peer-reviewed academic literature points to some non-religious spiritualities as catalysts for female empowerment. This study will explore the efficacy of culturally relevant non-religious spirituality to bolster sexual agency for Caribbean women in the UK.
Participation
To participate in this study, you must meet the following criteria:
You are a woman from the English-speaking Caribbean by birth or descent
You live in the United Kingdom
You are aged 18 or over
You are not receiving treatment for any major psychological disorder
Please note that race, national identity, country of birth, and sexual identity do not eliminate potential participants from this study.
Contact Laura
Donation
This study is self-founded. If you’d like to support this project, kindly consider making a donation here. Your generosity is deeply appreciated.
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