Analyzing trauma narratives: Introducing the Narrative Form Index and Matrix.

Abstract

Purpose: Narrative form research is introduced as a unique, qualitative approach to studying narrative material, particularly trauma narratives. This methodology incorporates new analytic tools: Narrative Form Index (NFI) and Narrative Form Index Matrix (NFIM). Research Method/Design: The NFI is a standard set of narrative terms that provides a critical inventory of forms useful in processing the structure, context, and whole elements of narratives. The NFIM uses forms inventoried in the NFI as variables for finding, connecting, and displaying relevant narrative text within a matrix. Together, these companion analytic tools allow for the direct transmission of meaningfully sifted narrative data. Results: Employing the NFI and NFIM in relation to a research transcript, the authors demonstrate how narrative material is identified for inclusion in a matrix. Once arranged in a matrix, rich narrative data is available for further analysis. Conclusions/Implications: Content and form analysis and direct transmission of narrative data embodied in this approach provide salient and accurate results in qualitative data management and inference. The analytic tools described have applications for rehabilitation research and practice and can be downloaded from the authors' Web site.

Emma Bovary, Hedda Gabler, and Harold Brodkey Would Not Have Lived without Charcot: Hysteria in Novels

“…Our essay is a descriptive, exploratory study, given the virtual absence of a body of knowledge on how to analyze in a theoretically based and empirically founded manner [16]. We follow a method that we described and applied earlier when analyzing a novel on patient-physician relations [17] and on illness perceptions [18], rendering acceptable and meaningful results.…”

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy

“…More complex systems construct matrices that combine analyses of form with thematic means of organizing content. Examples of complex coding systems include the following: the Narrative Form Index and Matrix (Albright, Duggan, & Epstein, 2008), the Narrative Processes Coding System (Angus & Hardtke, 1994; Angus et al, 1999), and the JAKOB system (Boothe, Grimm, Hermann, & Luder, 2010; Boothe & Von Wyl, 2004). Hence, coding systems may range from a focus on form and syntactical detail to analyses of content and semantic meaning (Albright et al, 2008; Angus et al, 1999; Clandinin & Connelly, 2000; Elliott, 2005; McLeod & Angus, 2004; Murray, 2003; Nagy Hesse-Biber & Leavy, 2011; Pascale, 2011; Wertz et al, 2011).…”

‘You Lose Confidence in Being a Human Being, Never Mind Being a Parent’: The Lived Experience of Mothers With Spinal Cord Injury

“…Research examining parenting with SCI is scarce with only a handful of studies focussing specifically on mothers and fathers with SCI (Brennan & Swords, 2021). Several studies have measured a variety of indicators that relate to family life such as perceived stress and life satisfaction (Albright et al, 2008), social participation and barriers to participation (Rasul & Biering-Sorensen, 2016; Tsai et al, 2017; Westgren & Levi, 1994), parental ability and quality of family relationships (Alexander et al, 2002; Westgren & Levi, 1994) and support in the parenting role (Rasul & Biering-Sorensen, 2016). Other studies have qualitatively explored experiences of parenting among mothers and fathers (Kaiser et al, 2012), or among fathers (Duvdevany et al, 2008; Nolan, 2013; Pearcey et al, 2007 [one mother included in this sample]) or mothers separately (Aune, 2013; Casey & Nolan, 2012; Quigley, 1995).…”

“…Women with SCI poignantly reflected on the contrast between expectations and experiences of parenting with SCI (Albright et al, 2008). Findings suggest that time to reflect and make changes and practical adaptations to living with SCI can be protective for future parenting roles.…”