Using Instagram as a Modified Application of Photovoice for Storytelling and Sharing in Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Photovoice is a research method developed to help communities share images as a tool for discussion of key issues. Although this may be useful to promote healthy behavior, using Photovoice in adolescents has been logistically challenging. Given adolescents’ engagement in social media, our study explored the feasibility of using a photo-sharing mobile phone application, Instagram, to accomplish the principles of Photovoice. Twenty adolescents 14 to 18 years old with type 1 diabetes were asked to use Instagram to post any diabetes-related photo for 3 weeks. Individual interviews and a focus group were also offered, and recruitment and retention statistics were tracked. Of those approached (n = 47), 43% agreed to participate. Twelve were actively engaged. Shared photos were most likely to fall into the categories of diabetes care, humor, or food. Engaged participants universally reported the project to be a positive experience; however, there were technological and personal factors to consider for widespread implementation.

Adelante Ambassadors: Using Digital Media to Facilitate Community Engagement and Risk-Prevention for Latino Youth

“…Youth were more Villanueva, 2014). Similarly, re-posting "internet memes" and generic photos not addressing a participant's personal life has been found to be preferred among this age group (Yi-Frazier et al, 2015). Fergie, Hunt, & Hilton (2016) found similar hesitancy among adolescents and young adults to use social media to post user-generated content related to diabetes and mental health because of daily online identity management.…”

“…Contests and videos boosted social media engagement, but usergenerated content was limited. In a study piloting Instagram as a modified application of PhotoVoice storytelling among adolescents with type I diabetes, similar engagement and retention barriers occurred (Yi-Frazier et al, 2015). Of 47 youth approached, 20 enrolled and only 12 youth actively posted user-generated content on Instagram.…”

“…Social media's instantaneous access allows for interventions driven by audience-generated content to increase youth ownership of prevention activities and messages and boost engagement among their social networks (Bottorff et al, 2014;Evans et al, 2016;Lenzi et al, 2015). Social media may also influence adolescent health behavior by enabling individuals to observe and model behaviors, attitudes, and outcomes (Bandura, 1977(Bandura, , 1986(Bandura, , 1998Yi-Frazier et al, 2015). Evidence suggests Langley Park teens are avid mobile and social media users, with 84% reporting use of a smartphone for their primary internet access and 60% reporting use of the social networking platform Instagram .…”

“…Of 47 youth approached, 20 enrolled and only 12 youth actively posted user-generated content on Instagram. Reasons for not engaging included not interested in Instagram platform, not being interested in social media in general, not having the proper mobile phone, or being too busy (Yi-Frazier et al, 2015).…”

Psychological support for adolescents with type 1 diabetes provided by adolescents with type 1 diabetes: The chat line experience

“…Given adolescents' engagement in social media and Internet use and the related opportunity of using these virtual spaces to overcome obstacles that make it difficult for adolescents with a chronic disease to interact with their peers, several web‐based interventions for adolescents with T1DM have been proposed to promote better health outcomes within this population. In particular, adolescents with T1DM were asked to take part in problem‐solving through discussion forums, chat rooms, and blogs in order to increase compliance with treatment protocols, to use a photo‐sharing mobile phone application (ie, Instagram) to post any diabetes‐related photos, and to post questions or messages in a public web‐based forum …”