Using Therapeutic Photography in Social Work—An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis of the Dynamics within a Group Programme
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 10896293 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Neil Gibson (0000-0001-6136-9563, Robert Gordon University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 54 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 305-325 |
| Publication date | 2024-01-25 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | The British Journal of Social Work (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0045-3102 • E-ISSN: 1468-263X |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1093/bjsw/bcad196 |
| OpenAlex | W4385964371 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 40 |
Therapeutic photography is the practice of using photography in order to explore issues and reach defined outcomes with people who use services. It has been deemed to be an accessible tool which can have a positive impact on self-esteem, self-efficacy and empowerment. Using interpretive phenomenological analysis, this research analyses observations and focus group feedback from a group of participants receiving support from a third-sector organisation for mental health issues. Specifically, the data were analysed to look at how a therapeutic photography programme contributed to group dynamics, exploration and outcomes. Three inter-related super-ordinate themes were identified, these being (1) exposing the self; (2) searching; and (3) developing the self. These themes centred around the identity of the participants as they explored their photographs and associated narratives. The results suggest that the medium of photography contributes to enhanced self-disclosure and social bonding through the familiarity of engaging with photographs. The photographs also enable participants to feel in control of the information shared, facilitating the level of exploration and personal learning around identity and roles and could be beneficial in social work with groups where these outcomes are sought
Aesthetics · Art · Dynamics (music) · Empowerment · Focus group · Identity (music) · Interpretative phenomenological analysis · Mental health · Narrative · Pedagogy · Photography · Psychotherapist · Qualitative research · Social group · Social identity theory · Social science · Sociology · Visual arts · Applied Psychology · Art Therapy and Mental Health · Mental Health and Patient Involvement · Participatory Visual Research Methods · Psychology · Social Psychology · Social Work
Friedrich Schleiermacher Hermeneutics and Criticism
Photovoice
The use of photographs in mourning and bereavement and the anthropology of art
Phototherapy Techniques
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
The Sage Dictionary of Social Research Methods
The Ecology of Human Development
Experiences of Addiction and Recovery
Social Factors and Recovery from Mental Health Difficulties
Reflecting on the Use of IPA with Focus Groups
Photovoice
Vicarious and post‐memory practices in adopting families
The process of therapeutic change involving implicit knowledge
Human Nature and the Social Order
Key Concepts in Ethnography
Further Than the Eye Can See? Photo Elicitation and Research With Men
Putting Myself in the Picture
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2025 (1) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |