The personal motif in naturalistic case study research: developing “innerstandings” in woman’s compulsive behaviour

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to show case study research focused on persons as a case and our personal engagement with the case can improve our innerstandings and understanding of person-centred care.

Method: We present the methodology and epistemology of naturalistic case study research and illuminate this approach with the case study of Ellen, a young, Dutch, white-middle class woman with a compulsive disorder. We combine naturalistic case study research with the personal narratives of those involved in the research, including ourselves, and interpreted through a feminist and gender lens.

Results: The case study research enhanced the personal and mutual understanding of all involved, including the researchers. Feminist and gender theory revealed the hidden personal motif for the choice of the case, and led to a re-viewing of the original story, offering a re-storying.

Conclusion: We conclude that the personal motif as well as the use of our personal experiences to understand the case deserve more attention in case study research to address the complex interplay of social and intrapsychic dimensions, and develop more in-depth innerstandings for all engaged.

KEYWORDS:

• Case study research
• person-centred care
• hermeneutics
• feminist and gender theory
• mental healthcare
• obsessive compulsive behaviour
• women

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tineke A. Abma

Tineke A. Abma is professor Participation & Diversity in the dept. of Medical Humanities at the Amsterdam University medical centres, and research leader in Amsterdam Public Health. She is also de Executive Director of the Leyden Academy on Vitality and Ageing in Leiden. Her research and teaching focuses on participatory action research, patient participation and long term care.

Andrea Ruissen

Andrea Ruissen is psychiatrist in the Haaglanden hospital in The Hague. She completed her PhD in the field of competence in Obsessive Compulsive Behavior.

Ellen den Oude

Ellen den Oude (psyeudonym) is an expert-by-experience in the field of obsessive Compulsive Discorder and psychiatrist.

Petra Verdonk

Petra Verdonk is associate professor at the dept. of Medical Humanities in Amsterdam University medical centres. Her research and teaching focuses on gender and diversity issues in public health and medical education.