Xiao ZS, Zhou H, Jiang YL, Samah NA. Embracing the complexity of lived experiences in psychiatry research: Reflexivity, cultural sensitivity, and emergent design. World J Psychiatry 2024; 14(12): 1793-1796 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v14.i12.1793]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Yi-Lin Jiang, School of Education, University Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor Bahru 81310, Johor, Malaysia. yilinjiangs@foxmail.com
Research Domain of This Article
Methodology
Article-Type of This Article
Editorial
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Psychiatry. Dec 19, 2024; 14(12): 1793-1796 Published online Dec 19, 2024. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v14.i12.1793
Embracing the complexity of lived experiences in psychiatry research: Reflexivity, cultural sensitivity, and emergent design
Zhan-Shuo Xiao, Heng Zhou, Yi-Lin Jiang, Narina A Samah
Zhan-Shuo Xiao, Department of Dermatology, Guanganmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China
Heng Zhou, Department of Student Affairs, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
Yi-Lin Jiang, Narina A Samah, School of Education, University Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru 81310, Johor, Malaysia
Co-first authors: Zhan-Shuo Xiao and Heng Zhou.
Co-corresponding authors: Yi-Lin Jiang and Narina A Samah.
Author contributions: Jiang YL wrote the original draft; Xiao ZS and Samah NA contributed to conceptualization, writing, reviewing, and editing; Xiao ZS, Zhou H and Jiang YL participated in drafting the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript. All authors participated in critical discussions regarding the paper’s structure, focus, and theoretical alignment. Designating Jiang YL and Samah NA as co-corresponding authors is appropriate due to their complementary roles and leadership in the study. Samah NA, as the primary supervisor, provided foundational guidance and inspiration for the research, especially in shaping its focus on cultural sensitivity and addressing complex lived experiences in psychiatry. Jiang YL offered critical contributions to methodology and data analysis, ensuring the study’s adherence to rigorous reflexive practices. Their joint expertise and continuous oversight were vital in fulfilling the research objectives, making their co-corresponding authorship essential. The co-first authors, Xiao ZS and Zhou H, collaboratively conceptualized the research framework and jointly completed the organization and refinement of the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors have no conflict of interest.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Yi-Lin Jiang, School of Education, University Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor Bahru 81310, Johor, Malaysia. yilinjiangs@foxmail.com
Received: September 30, 2024 Revised: October 30, 2024 Accepted: November 14, 2024 Published online: December 19, 2024 Processing time: 57 Days and 22 Hours
Abstract
This article examines the critical integration of reflexivity, cultural sensitivity, and emergent design in qualitative psychiatry research focused on lived experiences. While quantitative methods offer essential clinical insights, qualitative approaches provide a deeper understanding of the emotional, psychological, and social dimensions of mental health. Reflexivity enables researchers to remain aware of how their personal biases and professional backgrounds shape data interpretation. Cultural sensitivity ensures that mental health conditions are understood within their broader cultural contexts, helping avoid misrepresentation and promoting authentic participant expression. Emergent design offers flexibility in adapting the research process to evolving themes, particularly in the dynamic and multifaceted realm of psychiatric conditions. Together, these principles promote ethically sound, participant-centered research that captures the full complexity of lived experiences. The article also highlighted the practical implications of these principles for enhancing both academic knowledge and clinical practice in psychiatry.
Core Tip: The core message of this article was that the integration of reflexivity, cultural sensitivity, and an emergent design approach is crucial to capturing the full complexity of lived experiences in qualitative psychiatry research. Reflexivity ensures that researchers maintain awareness of how their own biases and professional identities shape the research process. Cultural sensitivity facilitates a more comprehensive understanding of how mental health is influenced by cultural norms and beliefs. Emergent design introduces flexibility, enabling the research to adapt to unforeseen themes and the participants’ evolving narratives. Collectively, these principles foster ethically responsible and deeply insightful research in psychiatry.
