Abstract
This chapter describes the application of photovoice, a method that enables people to identify, share, and address their lived experiences with photographs and discussions, to HIV/AIDS and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) research. The use of photovoice has expanded tremendously over the last decade. The case studies in this chapter highlight the varied and important methodological uses of photovoice in public health. The cases feature photovoice projects that facilitate women with HIV’s expression of their illness narratives, youth with ASD’s accounts of growing up, and HIV patients’ stories of medication adherence. Although the photovoice methodology varied slightly in each case, each project included: (1) introduction and camera tutorial, (2) group photo sharing and discussion sessions, (3) individual photo reflection interviews, and (4) public photo sharing. Theme and story analysis of project session transcripts and photographs revealed projects’ process and outcomes. Across each case example, photovoice proved to be versatile and adaptable to different participants’ needs. Photos enhanced dialogue by giving participants a way to creatively and concretely express themselves and share their ideas. The method served as a way to collect data, but also as an enjoyable and empowering process for participants with HIV and ASD. Photovoice also supported individual and group development and action such as increased self-awareness and education for picture viewers. Photovoice can be a powerful method for vulnerable populations. Care must be taken to match the method to research questions and participants’ needs, create effective collaborations between researchers and participants, and attend to project ethics.
References
Beresford B, Moran N, Sloper P, Cusworth L, Mitchell W, Spiers G, Weston K, Beecham J. Transition to adult services and adulthood for young people with autistic spectrum conditions. Working Paper, no: DH 2525. York: Social Policy Research Unit, University of York; 2013.
Boyatzis RE. Transforming qualitative information: thematic analysis and code development. Thousand Oaks: SAGE; 1998.
Catalani C, Minkler M. Photovoice: a review of the literature in health and public health. Health Educ Behav. 2010;37(3):424–51.
Charmaz K. Constructing grounded theory: a practical guide through qualitative analysis. London: SAGE; 2006.
Cheak-Zamora NC, Teti M. “You think it’s hard now … It gets much harder for our children”: youth with autism and their caregiver’s perspectives of health care transition services. Autism. 2014;19(8):992–1001.
Fraser KD, Al Sayah F. Arts-based methods in health research: a systematic review of the literature. Art Health Int J Res Policy Pract. 2011;3(2):110–45.
Goggin K, Catley D, Brisco ST, Engelson ES, Rabkin JG, Kotler DP. A female perspective on living with HIV disease. Health Soc Work. 2001;26(2):80–9.
Han CS, Oliffe JL. Photovoice in mental illness research: a review and recommendations. Health (London). 2015. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363459314567790.
Hergenrather KC, Rhodes SD, Cowan CA, Bardhoshi G, Pula S. Photovoice as community-based participatory research: a qualitative review. Am J Health Behav. 2009;33(6):686–98.
Herrick AL, Lim SH, Wei C, Smith H, Guadamuz T, Friedman MS, Stall R. Resilience as an untapped resource in behavioral intervention design for gay men. AIDS Behav. 2011;15(Suppl 1):S25–9.
Herrick AL, Stall R, Goldhammer H, Egan JE, Mayer KH. Resilience as a research framework and as a cornerstone of prevention research for gay and bisexual men: theory and evidence. AIDS Behav. 2014;18(1):1–9.
Houston TK, Allison JJ, Sussman M, Horn W, Holt CL, Trobaugh J, … Hullett S. Culturally appropriate storytelling to improve blood pressure: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2011a;154(2):77–84.
Houston TK, Cherrington A, Coley HL, Robinson KM, Trobaugh JA, Williams JH, … Allison JJ. The art and science of patient storytelling-harnessing narrative communication for behavioral interventions: the ACCE project. J Health Commun. 2011b;1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2011.551997. 937140203 [pii].
Jibaja-Weiss ML, Volk RJ, Granch TS, Nefe NE, Spann SJ, Aoki N, … Beck JR. Entertainment education for informed breast cancer treatment decisions in low-literate women: development and initial evaluation of a patient decision aid. J Cancer Educ. 2006;21(3):133–9.
Lal S, Jarus T, Suto MJ. A scoping review of the photovoice method: implications for occupational therapy research. Can J Occup Ther. 2012;79(3):181–90.
Martin N, Garcia AC, Leipert B. Photovoice and its potential use in nutrition and dietetic research. Can J Diet Pract Res. 2010;71(2):93–7.
Murphy ST, Frank LB, Chatterjee JS, Baezconde-Garbanati L. Narrative versus non-narrative: the role of identification, transportation and emotion in reducing health disparities. J Commun. 2013;63(1):116. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcom.12007.
Murphy ST, Frank LB, Chatterjee JS, Moran MB, Zhao N, Amezola de Herrera P, Baezconde-Garbanati LA. Comparing the relative efficacy of narrative vs nonnarrative health messages in reducing health disparities using a randomized trial. Am J Public Health. 2015;105(10): 2117–23.
Rich JA, Grey CM. Pathways to recurrent trauma among young black men: traumatic stress, substance use, and the “code of the street”. Am J Public Health. 2005;95(5):816–24.
Riessman CK. Narrative analysis. London: SAGE; 1993.
Riley RG, Manias E. The uses of photography in clinical nursing practice and research: a literature review. J Adv Nurs. 2004;48(4):397–405.
Sanon MA, Evans-Agnew RA, Boutain DM. An exploration of social justice intent in photovoice research studies from 2008 to 2013. Nurs Inq. 2014;21(3):212–26.
Scientific Software Development. Atlas.ti (version 6.2). Berlin; 2011. http://atlasti.com/
Shattuck PT, Narendorf SC, Cooper B, Sterzing PR, Wagner M, Taylor JL. Postsecondary education and employment among youth with an autism spectrum disorder. Pediatrics. 2012;129(6): 1042–9.
Switzer S, Guta A, de Prinse K, Chan Carusone S, Strike C. Visualizing harm reduction: methodological and ethical considerations. Soc Sci Med. 2015;133:77–84.
Teti M, Bowleg L, Cole R, Lloyd L, Rubinstein S, Spencer S, … Gold M. A mixed methods evaluation of the effect of the protect and respect intervention on the condom use and disclosure practices of women living with HIV/AIDS. AIDS Behav. 2010;14(3):567–79.
Teti M, Murray C, Johnson L, Binson D. Photovoice as a community based participatory research method among women living with HIV/AIDS: ethical opportunities and challenges. J Empir Res Hum Res Ethics. 2012;7(4):34–43.
Wang C. Photovoice: a participatory action research strategy applied to women’s health. J Womens Health. 1999;8(2):185–92.
Wang C, Burris MA. Empowerment through photo novella: portraits of participation. Health Educ Q. 1994;2(2):171–86.
Wang C, Burris MA. Photovoice: concept, methodology, and use for participatory needs assessment. Health Educ Behav. 1997;24(3):369–87.
Wang C, Pies CA. Family, maternal, and child health through photovoice. Matern Child Health J. 2004;8(2):95–102.
Wang C, Morrel-Samuels S, Hutchison PM, Bell L, Pestronk RM. Flint photovoice: community building among youths, adults, and policymakers. Am J Public Health. 2004;94(6):911–3.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this entry
Cite this entry
Teti, M., Majee, W., Cheak-Zamora, N., Maurer-Batjer, A. (2017). Understanding Health Through a Different Lens: Photovoice Method. In: Liamputtong, P. (eds) Handbook of Research Methods in Health Social Sciences . Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-2779-6_4-1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-2779-6_4-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-10-2779-6
Online ISBN: 978-981-10-2779-6
eBook Packages: Springer Reference Social SciencesReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences