Mandalas as a visual research method for understanding primary care for depression

Abstract

Depression is a complex problem, commonly but not always successfully managed in primary care. We know relatively little about the system of primary care for depression particularly at the level of organisations. In this paper, we describe the use of mandalas as a visual data collection method within an in-depth programme of participatory action research undertaken in six primary care organisations in Victoria, Australia. We draw on mandala images, selected and discussed by 49 multidisciplinary primary health care professionals and demonstrate how they can be employed as an effective graphic elicitation method. We conclude that mandalas offer an innovative approach for qualitative data collection for two reasons. First, they can engage busy research participants in a reflective space. Second, using the mandalas as an elicitation method generates meaningful data: it provides new insights, reveals unrecognised aspects of practice, generates new learning, gives physical form to tacit processes and enables complex information to become accessible; all within short timeframes.

Mandala making to foster understanding of theoretical concepts in nursing education: Stress and coping

“…Similar to Palmer et al's [13] work, students generally did not find mandala making difficult or onerous. Students remarked that the limited space of a circle aided them to stay focused on the theoretical concepts and prevented them from becoming flustered or going astray.…”

“…Like Palmer et al, [13] we found that mandala making afforded opportunities to share and learn from one another. The dialogical approach encouraged students to consider another person's lived experiences, which may enhance empathetic behavior.…”

“…Others have used mandala making to assist students and practitioners to understand their own psychological state and depression care. [13,14] We took this a step further by providing the opportunity for students to reflect on stress and coping while considering the conceptual literature. The writing and discussion that followed the mandala making was interwoven with elements of the literature.…”

“…Coping Our experience echoes existing literature in which visual methods, such as mandala making, can stimulate deep and intimate reflection. [9,13,17] Reflection is a necessary first step to make sense of conceptual literature considering Parse's [18] statement that "all phenomena have meaning only in light of beliefs and values" (p. 145). A visual approach can be a safe way for students to engage with a vulnerable topic as well as articulate something that may be ineffable.…”

Exploring Memory Interventions in Depression through Lifelogging Lens

“…For example, when users want to reflect on an emotional event, the system could remove the colour of a captured pictorial cue and ask users to i) colour the picture themselves, and then ii) draw an imaginary positive ending of this ambiguous scene. This process, inspired by mandala colouring as art-therapy (Palmer et al, 2014) could lead users to an engaging future-oriented positive imagination practice. Authoring tools can also be envisaged to assist people in capturing their interpretation of such events over their entire lifespan.…”