title: How do people of South Asian origin understand and experience depression? A protocol for a systematic review of qualitative literature.
abstract: Individuals from Black and Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups are less likely to receive a diagnosis and to engage with treatment for depression. This review aims to draw on international literature to summarise what is known about how people specifically of South Asian origin, migrants and non-migrants, understand and experience depressive symptoms. The resulting evidence base will further inform practices aimed at encouraging help-seeking behaviour and treatment uptake.
  
  
  
  A systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative literature conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, electronic searches will be conducted across 16 databases. Study quality will be assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP). Data will be extracted independently by 2 reviewers.
  
  
  
  Ethical approval is not required. A comprehensive evidence base of how people from South Asian backgrounds conceptualise and experience depression will better inform the design and delivery of mental health initiatives and advance directions for future research. Findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, and disseminated through existing networks for professionals, researchers, patients and the public.
  
  
  
  CRD42015026120.
authors: Department of Psychology and Sports Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, College Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.
authors: Roisin
authors: R
authors: Mooney
authors: Centre for Research in Primary and Community Care, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.
authors: Daksha
authors: D
authors: Trivedi
authors: Department of Psychology and Sports Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, College Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.
authors: Shivani
authors: S
authors: Sharma
mesh_terms: D044466:Asian People; D003863:Depression / Q000208:ethnology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000208:ethnology*; D000066505:Help-Seeking Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012107:Research Design; D000078202:Systematic Reviews as Topic
keywords: Protocol; QUALITATIVE RESEARCH; South Asian; Systematic Review