Using photo-elicitation to explore health promotion concepts with children and adolescents with disabilities: a rapid scoping review

Abstract

Purpose

It is important to directly engage children and adolescents with disabilities (CAWD) in health promotion research to ensure their health needs are met. Arts-based research methods may help CAWD better express their ideas; photo-elicitation is one such technique, using self-captured photographs to enhance verbal descriptions of complex concepts. This review 1) summarizes findings from health promotion studies using photo-elicitation with CAWD; 2) explores benefits and challenges of using photo-elicitation; 3) identifies recommended photo-elicitation practices.

Materials and Methods

A scoping review was conducted using rapid review principles. Four health and social science databases were searched (2009–2019) using terms related to children, adolescents, disability, and photo-elicitation. Articles meeting inclusion criteria were summarized and analyzed thematically.

Results

Eight studies met inclusion criteria and explored a range of health promotion topics. Benefits of photo-elicitation included the ability to mediate communication and direct participants’ focus. Challenges included difficulty operating a camera and understanding instructions about photograph subject matter. Four recommended practices were identified: 1) brainstorming photograph ideas; 2) photograph-taking training; 3) having CAWD select photographs for discussion; 4) limiting the number of photographs CAWD could capture.

Conclusions

Integrating practices to support CAWD in using photo-elicitation can help researchers more fully understand their health experiences.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• There is a need to directly engage children and adolescents with disabilities to express themselves in health promotion research.

• The arts-based method of photo-elicitation may help children and adolescents with disabilities convey how they view and experience health.

• Children and adolescents with disabilities may need supports, including camera training, to participate in photo-elicitation.

Keywords:

• Health promotion
• photo-elicitation
• arts-based research
• augmentative and alternative communication
• children with disabilities
• adolescents with disabilities

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research [funding no. 153189] and through the Ontario Graduate Scholarship awarded to Celeste M Lumia.