Capturing recovery capital: using photovoice to unravel recovery and desistance

Abstract

Purpose

Photovoice, a community-based participatory research strategy, allows participants to take up an active role in data collection by discussing their views and life (conditions) based on the photographs they have taken. In this methodological article, we present a case study in which photovoice was used to unravel the meaning of recovery capital. Recovery capital is an overarching concept to understand the personal, social and community resources helping people to recover.

Method

Seven participants in recovery from drug use and  desistance from offending took photographs of their lived experiences related to recovery capital. During face-to-face interviews, these photographs were discussed, focusing on recovery capital components.

Results

The case study led to in-depth insights into the photographs’ meanings and stories from the point of view of the participants.

Conclusion

This contribution investigates the role of photovoice in expanding our understanding of recovery capital. By means of a case study we highlight the several steps taken by the researcher and the advantages and shortcomings of this method. It appears that photovoice offers great value for eliciting insights in the lived experiences of participants and for participants to grow empowerment and agency. This article hopes to inspire researchers to consider photovoice for their (future) research projects.

Keywords:

• Photovoice
• recovery
• desistance

Ethical approval

The REDECAP project was approved by the faculty’s ethical commission on the 20th of April, 2020. Before the start of the research project, a Data Management Plan (and GDPR) was composed, including information on the kind of data that would be collected in the project, information on data storage and back up (during the project and afterwards), and guidelines regarding anonymity, privacy and processing of personal data.

Participants received comprehensive information brochures informing them about his/her rights (e.g. voluntary participation and right to stop at any time; incentives; asking for a summary of the research findings), aspects relating to confidentiality (e.g. the interview is audiotaped but will be transcribed and anonymized afterwards), the aim of the research project and contact details of the researcher, how the results would be used and how their data would be anonymized and protected. Specifically for the second phase of the research project, that is, photovoice, additional attention to ethics and privacy is needed. Participants were informed they could not take pictures of identifiable persons. Additionally, they signed two (written) informed consents during data collection: one before filling in the survey, and one before starting the photovoice.

During data collection and analysis, all data were processed anonymously by the researcher. Sound recordings were destroyed and only anonymized transcripts of the interviews and photographs were saved on a password-protected disk.

Disclosure statement

The author(s) report no conflict of interest.

Notes

1 The first work package of REDECAP consisted of a survey.

2 describe your Picture; what is Happening in your picture; why did you take a picture Of this; what does this picture Tell us about your recovery and desistance process; and how can this picture provide Opportunities to improve life?

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (FWO).