Amarachi Nwaneri

At Headway, we are proud to be actively involved with connecting researchers and people affected by brain injury, recognising the vital role that research plays in helping to improve affected lives. Here, we speak to Trainee Clinical Psychologist and researcher Amarachi Nwaneri about her research into social connection and isolation among BAME carers.

Hi Amarachi! Can you start by telling us a bit about yourself?

Hello, my name is Mary-Olivier Amarachi Nwaneri, but I prefer to be called Amarachi, reflecting my Nigerian heritage. I am a Trainee Clinical Psychologist at the University of East Anglia (UEA). Before my doctorate, I worked in both physical and mental health settings, where I worked as a support worker and an Assistant Psychologist. Whilst completing my undergraduate degree in Psychology, I worked as a support worker, primarily in a stroke ward and with elderly patients facing various physical health and neurological conditions, such as dementia.

Additionally, I worked for two years as an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Research Associate and Project Manager, where I contributed to developing several EDI initiatives at UEA. This included helping to establish the BRAVE mentoring scheme, which aims to support aspiring psychologists from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds and to promote diversity within the Clinical Psychology profession.

What is your interest in brain injury?

I was born in Nigeria, and one of my lasting childhood memories is the time I spent with my grandfather, who suffered from a stroke before I was born. The long-lasting impact of this left him immobilised and impaired in his cognitive functions. However, what I remember most is the loving care and support my family and extended relatives gave him till his death.

As a child, I also recall a strong sense of community around us. Yet looking back, I often wondered how my grandfather's stroke altered the dynamics within our family and community and what changes resulted from it. Nigeria's culture is inherently collectivist, which contrasts sharply with the individualistic nature of the UK. This curiosity about cultural differences emerged as I experienced variations in perceptions and support offered for physical health conditions and the mental health impact on individuals and their families in the UK.

This blend of my personal and professional experiences sparked my interest in the social connections within families in the UK, especially those affected by acquired brain injuries (ABI) and stroke. When the opportunity arose to conduct research exploring the experiences of families impacted by ABI and stroke, I eagerly embraced it, specifically seeking to centre and honour the voices of individuals from BAME backgrounds, who are often misrepresented, overlooked, or marginalised in research.

What is your current research about?

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is any injury to the brain that happens after birth, and this can be caused by an external hit, reduction of oxygen or infection of the brain. Research has found that people from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic backgrounds are often at increased risk of developing certain types of brain injury after birth. These injuries can lead to long-term difficulties for the injured person and their family. Family members of the injured person often report feeling isolated and disconnected, leading to feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety.

This can make it difficult for family members to provide the best support to their injured family members. Despite these research findings, there has been limited exploration of how minority ethnic or BAME families experience social connection and isolation after the injury in the UK.

This study aims to explore the experiences of social connection and isolation among minority ethnic family members in the UK who have family members who have experienced ABI or stroke. I will be speaking to family members/caregivers from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic groups who participate in this study and ask them about their experiences before analysing their responses by looking for common themes in what they report.

What made you decide to do this research?

My combined professional experiences, along with my personal background, have shaped my interests, particularly in researching and working with families affected by brain injuries, especially those from marginalised BAME backgrounds. 

What do you hope will happen from the research?

My hope is that by exploring and making sense of how family members from BAME backgrounds construct and experience social connection and isolation after ABI and Stroke, and its adverse psychological impact, appropriate culturally sensitive and family-inclusive practices can be developed. This can also further inform the national efforts being made in the UK to tackle loneliness and reduce the burden on family members or caregivers post-injury. Thus, ultimately, improving the psychological outcome for both the injured person and their family members.

How can people find out more or get involved?

 
If you would like to participate in this study, you can by registering to the study by visiting this link. Potential participants can also contact me directly at A.Nwaneri@uea.ac.uk for any project enquiry or participation in this study.