The journey of young people in an early psychosis program involved in participatory photography

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences and perceptions of young people in an early psychosis program towards participating in a 10-week photovoice and exhibition project and the themes that had emerged from their photographs. Method: Photographs create meanings and participants are able to tell their stories in a meaningful way. Eleven clients who had gone through a prior 10-week photovoice project and exhibition consented to being interviewed for this study. Clients chose and brought to the interview photos of theirs that had been exhibited. Structured questions were asked to generate discussions. Findings: Findings illustrated that participants were keen to educate the general public on mental health issues. They craved acceptance and were keen to make connections and build relationships. They were their own agents of change. Supportive networks create hope, which in turn helps people with mental health issues to reframe their outlook. Conclusion: The results of this study are important and provide occupational therapists with another tool for intervention and advocacy. As both photovoice and occupational therapy focus on the process rather than the product, occupational therapists can utilize photography in groups creatively to generate more client-and peer-led discussions.

Therapeutic benefits and limitations of participatory photography for adults with mental health problems: A systematic search and literature review

“…For Jose, this was realising that things were going better for him than he thought (Padgett, Smith, Derejko, Henwood, & Tiderington, ). In the other four studies, increased self‐understanding was reported (Maniam et al, ; Reid & Alonso, ; Sitvast et al, ; Sitvast & Abma ; Sitvast ; Tang, Tse, & Davidson, ). For example, in Reid and Alonso (), one participant said they were “surprised how much of my internal struggles and thought processes came out through the pictures.…”

“…Four studies reported that PP had empowered participants (Maniam, Kumaran, Ping‐Lee, Koh & Subramaniam, ; Reid & Alonso, ; Rolbiecki, Anderson, Teti & Albright, ; Sitvast ; Sitvast & Abma ; Sitvast, Abma, & Widdershoven, ). This section is divided into the two sub‐themes of personal empowerment and empowerment through exhibitions.…”

“…Improved confidence and self‐esteem were the most frequently mentioned. For example, Jess said that she was “more outgoing and became more comfortable with myself” (Maniam, Kumaran, Ping Lee, Koh, & Subramaniam, , p.373). Processing her trauma enabled Sara to reduce feelings of self‐blame (Rolbiecki at al., ).…”

“…In Maniam et al (), such examples were not given, but participants were reported to have “expressed change at the individual level” and that it had “enhanced and boosted their functioning” (p.372). Tracy and April reported realising that they had to make difficult changes in order to achieve recovery.…”

“…Of the four studies that held photograph story exhibitions, three reported on the empowering effects of these. Participants in Maniam et al () said that providing hope for others made them feel more hopeful about themselves. Jess felt boosted by finding herself able to communicate with people of different status to her.…”