📄 Abstract
Virtual reality (VR) is an innovative approach to psychological therapies, providing immersive and interactive experiences that improve therapeutic engagement and emotional control. This review analyzes the accessibility, effectiveness, and ethical considerations of VR-based mental health therapies for disadvantaged groups, including those affected by structural injustices associated with race, socioeconomic position, disability, and mental health stigma. A combination of thirty-eight empirical investigations demonstrates that virtual reality can reduce stigma, bolster coping strategies, and promote social inclusion. Nonetheless, the expansion of virtual reality in healthcare prompts apprehensions about digital disparities, economic obstacles, data confidentiality, and representational fairness. This study proposes open-access implementation models, collaborative design with community stakeholders, and intersectional approaches incorporating cultural responsiveness into intervention development to tackle these difficulties. These findings emphasize the necessity of creating inclusive, ethically robust, and sustainable VR-based mental health technologies that fairly address the needs of diverse people within psychological care systems.
🏷️ Keywords
📚 How to Cite:
Freda Frimpongmaa Botwe, Oluwaseun Esho , EQUITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF VIRTUAL REALITY-BASED MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTIONS IN MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES , Volume 11 , Issue 12, December 2025, EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR) , DOI: https://doi.org/10.36713/epra25359