The Austerity Cure: The Impact of Benefit Sanctions on Mental Health

by Michelle K Jamieson

Overview

This qualitative study explores the experience of living in Glasgow with a complex mental health condition during a benefit sanction.

The impact of benefit sanctions on mental health and self- care has been little debated, yet there is clear evidence linking them to mental, physical, and social damage.

Talking to people who have experienced this situation can provide useful information, including the factors that compound poor mental health, and subsequent self-care choices.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781913387013
Publisher:	Luna Press Publishing
Publication date:	02/04/2020
Series:	Anthropocene , #1
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	84
File size:	2 MB

Table of Contents

1. Abstract

2. Introduction

2.1 Disability Welfare Reforms

2.1.1 Impact of Welfare Reforms

2.2 The Psychological Influence of Austerity

2.2.1 Consequences of Poverty & Deprivation in Glasgow 

2.3 Understanding Citizenship in Society

2.3.1 Conditional Citizenship

2.3.2 Value of the ‘Poor’

2.4 Austerity ‘Ailments’

2.4.1 Cuts & Self-Care 

2.5. Aims 

3. Methodology

3.1 Overview

3.2 Theoretical Position

3.2.1 Design

3.2.2 The Theoretical Orientations of IPA

3.3 Recruitment

3.3.1 Participant Selection

3.4 Data Collection

3.4.1 Interview Schedule

3.4.2 Procedure 

3.4.3 Challenges

3.5 Data Analysis 

3.5.1 Transcription

3.5.2 Coding

3.6 Ethical Considerations 

3.6.1 Researcher Safety 

3.6.2 Potential for Participant Distress 

4. Findings 

4.1 Overview

4.2 Results

4.2.1 Life Lived in Shades of Grey

4.2.1(a). Punished for Being

4.2.1(b). Tick- Box Culture

4.2.1(c). The Downward Spiral

4.2.2 Good Citizen, Bad Citizen

4.2.2(a). Scrounger Stigma

4.2.2(b). A Balancing Act

4.2.2(c). Survival & Costing the System

4.2.3 Helping Hands

4.2.3(a). Self-Medicating 

4.2.3(b). Positive Change 4.2.3(c). Looking to the Future

5. Discussion

5.1 Overview

5.2 Key Findings

5.2.1 Life Lived in Shades of Grey 

5.2.2 Good Citizen, Bad Citizen

5.2.3 Helping Hands

5.3 Research Strengths and Limitations

5.4 Future Research

5.5 Conclusions

6. Reflexivity

Bibliography

Appendix A: Dissertation Interview Schedule Themes

Appendix B: Sample Transcripts