Using Photovoice as a method to engage bereaved adults with intellectual disabilities in research: listening, learning and developing good practice principles
| Published date | 05 September 2017 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/AMHID-11-2016-0033 |
| Pages | 196-206 |
| Date | 05 September 2017 |
| Author | Gulshan Tajuria,Sue Read,Helena M. Priest |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Learning & intellectual disabilities |
Using Photovoice as a method to engage
bereaved adults with intellectual
disabilities in research: listening, learning
and developing good practice principles
Gulshan Tajuria, Sue Read and Helena M. Priest
Abstract
Purpose –People with intellectual disabilities experiencing loss or bereavement are at risk of developing
additional mental health problems, and may struggle to access suitable support. The purpose of this paper is
to present the adaptations done while using Photovoice as a creative method for bereaved people with
intellectual disabilities participating in a research exploring loss and support. This paper will further briefly add
information on how the use of Photovoice supported the development of whole research project.
Design/methodology/approach –This paper explores the use of Photovoice as a method of research
engagement for bereaved adults with intellectual disabilities. Photovoice enables participants to take and
discuss photographs illustrating their loss and support experiences. The paper focusses on a preparatory
Photovoice workshop with the research participants, outlining the processes and activities used to maximise
involvement, promote learning and achieve shared understanding.
Findings –Preparation was the key to the effectiveness of this workshop and it recommends that
appropriate adaptions are useful in Photovoice with adults with intellectual disabilities effectively. The paper
outlines principles of good practice for using Photovoice in this research context, which may transfer to other
similar research settings. Using Photovoice facilitated later one-to-one interviews with the participants, where
their photographs were discussed together.
Originality/value –This paper illustrates the innovative use of Photovoice methodology in research involving
bereaved people with intellectual disabilities. Photovoice has not previously been used with this specific
population within the bereavement and loss context, so this paper adds to the developing evidence base.
Keywords Qualitative research, Intellectual disabilities, Intervention, Inclusivity, Bereavement, Photovoice
Paper type Research paper
Background and rationale
It is widely accepted that people with intellectual disabilities are at an increased risk of developing
mental health problems, and that these problems are often overlooked. The recent introduction
of UK guidelines on mental health problems in this population (National Institute for Health and
Care Excellence, 2016) confirm and highlight the importance of prevention and early identification
of such problems. The guidelines specifically call for research into people’s experiences during
a crisis, and the effectiveness of support in promoting recovery. Loss and bereavement are often
crisis events triggering trauma, and without adequate and timely support, can lead to long-term
mental health problems.
Loss and bereavement
Bereavement encapsulates loss, grief and mourning and has been defined as “[…] the period
of mourning and grief that follows the death of a loved one”(Travers et al., 2013, p. 223).
Received 4 November 2016
Revised 3 May 2017
17 June 2017
5 September 2017
7 September 2017
Accepted 7 September 2017
The author would like to thank
Reach members and staff
members from Reach at Asist
Advocacy services, Stoke and
Staffordshire, for their support in
making this workshop successful.
Reach is part of Asist, a self-
advocacy organisation that
supports people with intellectual
disabilities to have a voice and
speak out.
Gulshan Tajuria is a PhD Student
at the Research Institute of
Social Sciences, Claus Moser
Research Centre, Keele
University, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.
Sue Read is a Professor of
Learning Disability Nursing at
the School of Nursing and
Midwifery, Clinical Education
Centre, University Hospital of
North Midlands, NHS Trust,
City General Hospital, Keele
University, Keele, UK.
Helena M. Priest is the
Research Director for
Staffordshire and Keele
Doctorate in Clinical
Psychology at the Staffordshire
University, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.
PAGE196
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ADVANCESIN MENTAL HEALTH AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
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VOL. 11 NO. 5/6 2017, pp.196-206, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2044-1282 DOI 10.1108/AMHID-11-2016-0033
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