Photovoice and empowerment: evaluating the transformative potential of a participatory action research project

Abstract

BackgroundPhotovoice is a visual research methodology with the intention to foster social change. Photovoice has been used to investigate change in empowerment in vulnerable communities, However, the individual experience of participants involved in Photovoice projects is seldom scrutinized. Our aim was to explore and describe the individual experiences of the female individuals who participated in a previous Photovoice project. We analyzed a change in the women’s empowerment in terms of: 1) gain in knowledge and skills, 2) change in self-perception, and 3) access to and use of resources.MethodsThis qualitative study took place in the low-income District of Villaverde (Madrid, Spain), from January-June 2016. We conducted 10 semi-structured interviews with the female residents who had participated in the previous Photovoice project. We also collected field notes. We analyzed these data through a direct qualitative content analysis. The three outlined dimensions of empowerment provided guidance for the analysis of the results.ResultsWe found positive changes in the three dimensions of empowerment: 1) participants acquired new knowledge and developed critical awareness of their community; 2) the social recognition participants received transformed their self-perception; and 3) the project allowed them to expand their social networks and to build new links with different actors (research partners, local decision makers, media and the wider public).ConclusionsPhotovoice projects entail the opportunity for empowering participants. Future research using Photovoice should assess the influence it has on participants’ empowerment changes and how to sustain these individual and social changes.

A Qualitative Photo Elicitation Research Study to elicit the perception of young children with Developmental Disabilities such as ADHD and/or DCD and/or ASD on their participation

“…As most young children in Belgium are not yet owners of a smartphone, we chose to collect data with a robust digital camera that is child friendly. These photographs were used to initiate in-depth interviews [56]. More expressively efficient than mere words, the photos taken by the children were used to ease communication during the interviews [56].…”

“…These photographs were used to initiate in-depth interviews [56]. More expressively efficient than mere words, the photos taken by the children were used to ease communication during the interviews [56].…”

Connecting Classroom to Community Through Photovoice: Pedagogical Implications

“…Time constraints affect photovoice research in several ways. The length of projects can affect participant attrition (Capous-Desyllas & Forro, 2014;Baker & Wang, 2006;Budig et al, 2018).…”

“…Time limitations influence the quality of photos when participants feel pressed and are unable to produce effective and meaningful images to identify and capture community issues (Findholt, Michael, & Davis, 2010;Capous-Desyllas & Forro, 2014). Lack of meaningful engagement of participants, and lack of clarity on participant responsibilities and obligations, can compete with data collection timelines and can complicate focus group sessions, and exhibit participation (Capous-Desyllas & Forro, 2014;Budig et al, 2018;Johnston, 2016). These issues affect the recruitment and retention of participants.…”

Innovation and equity in public health research : testing arts-based methods for trauma-informed, culturally-responsive inquiry.

“…Finally, the fact that photovoice was designed to reach policymakers (Wang & Burris, 1997;Evans-Agnew & Rosemberg, 2016) aligns with public health's increasing attentiveness to social determinants and health in all policies. Frequently used among vulnerable or marginalized populations (Budig et al, 2018), photovoice studies have increased exponentially over the last two decades-indicating both its utility in public health research and the field's lack of similarly promising methods. This popularity combined with the method's untapped potential suggest a ready opportunity for innovation in public health inquiry.…”