The Utilization and Adaption of Photovoice With Rural Women Aged 85 and Older

Abstract

Photovoice is a qualitative research method that can have very positive outcomes, including making marginalized populations visible. Yet we found that traditional Photovoice methods were not fully effective and needed to be adapted with women aged 85 and older in rural Prince Edward Island, Canada. Concerns that required adaptation were time constraints for the researcher and participants, taking appropriate photographs, balancing power between researcher and participants, and ensuring that the women’s voices were heard and presented clearly for them and their communities. Our purpose in this article is to enrich conversations on applying and adapting Photovoice as a research method with older, rural women. With Photovoice, the women in our study learned to use digital cameras to take photographs and told stories about how and why they made choices for their photographs and how they depicted how they were supported or limited to fulfill their vision of aging in place. We address the key features of the data collection process that contributed to the effective use of Photovoice with this population, including photography training and ethical instructions, guiding them in a process for identifying their most important photographs, working out methods for engaging them in codifying the photographs, and involving them in knowledge mobilization with policy makers directly. In addition, we present key benefits they reported from participation in the Photovoice process and the value of Photovoice for them in influencing policies on aging.

Using Photovoice as a Method for Capturing the Lived Experiences of Caregivers During COVID-19: A Methodological Insight

“…Aspects of this visual arts-based method can be tailored to meet the unique needs of diverse individuals and groups. For example, studies have employed adapted photovoice methods to conduct research with people with intellectual disabilities, rural older women (Bryanton et al, 2019), and exited sex trade workers (Barlow & Hurlock, 2013). Additionally, photovoice is increasingly conceptualized and implemented as a transformative, social change-oriented method, offering further benefits to historically marginalized and/or excluded communities (Jarldorn, 2018; Liebenberg, 2018).…”

Photovoicing Empowerment and Social Change for Youth Living With HIV/AIDS in Uganda

“…For the researched on the other hand, empowerment is further fostered through research content that raises critical consciousness (based on questions asked and how they are asked). One PAR method that has gained prominence especially while researching marginalized groups is photovoice (Bryanton et al, 2019; Holtby et al, 2015; Hussey, 2006; Kimera et al, 2020; Strack et al, 2004; Wang et al, 2000; Wang & Burris, 1997).…”

Virtual Photovoice With Older Adults: Methodological Reflections during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Photovoice has been used with diverse populations across the life course including children, youth, adults ( Catalani & Minkler, 2010 ; Golden, 2020 ), and, to a much lesser extent, older adults ( Novek et al, 2012 ; Bryanton et al, 2019 ). While use of photovoice with older adult populations is still limited, it nonetheless offers an effective and novel way to engage this population which is often excluded from research and other aspects of social life.…”