Journal Facts

Journal
International Journal of Self-Help and Self-Care
ISSN
1091-2851 (print) 1541-4450 (electronic)
Volume
2
Issue
4
Date
12/1/2004

Article Facts

Title
PHOTOVOICE AND CONSUMER-RUN MUTUAL SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS
DOI
10.2190/CRY2-W6HA-U13Q-9FXH
Pages
339-344
Online Date
02/01/2006

Article Links

PHOTOVOICE AND CONSUMER-RUN MUTUAL SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS

DOI: 10.2190/CRY2-W6HA-U13Q-9FXH

Abstract

Photovoice is a participatory action research methodology where community members use cameras to generate and interpret their own data. Originally developed by Caroline Wang and colleagues, the process can empower participants by enabling a greater degree of participant control over what data is collected and how it is interpreted (Wang & Burris, 1997; Wang & Redwood-Jones, 2001).

This photovoice project was implemented at two mutual consumer-run support organizations, Project Independence in Wichita, KS and P.S. Club in Wellington, KS. These organizations are nonprofits operated by people with psychiatric disabilities. Their primary functions are to maintain a drop-in center, foster mutual support, and provide leadership opportunities for members.

Participants were asked to take pictures of what goes on at their organization and how people benefit from the experience. One-on-one interviews with the photographers and those photographed were used to interpret the photos. The results provide an insider's understanding of these organizations.

Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.