A systematic scoping review of Photovoice within mental health research involving adolescents

ABSTRACT

Photovoice is a research method that changes perceptions of mental health. However, there is a lack of evidence exploring how Photovoice is used in mental health research involving adolescents. Our review aimed to understand the nature and key themes across findings of Photovoice studies exploring mental health among adolescents. We used pre-existing data and updated a search strategy. Popay and colleagues’ guidance was used to analyse the studies and the quality of each study was appraised. Our review found that Photovoice studies exploring mental health among adolescents are limited in quality and that Photovoice is a flexible, adaptable, inclusive, and emerging method. Coping; resilience; beliefs about oneself; family; friends; safety; living in a lower socioeconomic area and treatment emerged as key themes across study findings. Our review is the first of its kind and highlights ways Photovoice studies in the future can be developed and is helpful to multiple stakeholders.

KEYWORDS:

• Photovoice
• adolescents
• mental health
• research
• methods
• participatory research

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge and thank the role our colleagues from the Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry played in the development of this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2023.2244043

Additional information

Funding

The first author (MS) was supported by an annual stipend from The London Interdisciplinary Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership to conduct her doctoral studies.

Notes on contributors

Madison Stephens

Madison Stephens A nurse and PhD student at the Queen Mary University of London currently investigating the feasibility and acceptability of Photovoice within mental health research involving adolescents.

Eleanor Keiller

Eleanor Keiller A drama therapist and second-year PhD doctoral researcher at Queen Mary University of London. Her research explores the active ingredients and change mechanisms of dramatherapy for children and young people when used as a treatment for emotional disorders or distress.

Maev Conneely

Maev Conneely A research psychologist, coach and trainer. Maev has conducted research in the fields of social psychiatry and psychology for the past 8 years and her PhD explored the important role belonging (or “social identity”) plays in supporting our mental health.

Paul Heritage

Paul Heritage A Professor of Drama and Performance and Director of People’s Palace Projects (PPP). Paul creates practice-based arts research projects between the UK and Brazil with a focus on public security, human rights, social justice and indigenous cultural exchange.

Mariana Steffen

Mariana Steffen is a PhD student and has experience working in Brazil alongside People’s Palace Projects working on projects that explore the different values of culture and the impact of art on mental health

Victoria Jane Bird

Victoria Jane Bird A Professor of Mental Health Care and lead the Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry. Victoria has a background in psychology and health services research and currently leads a number of national and international research programmes.