Visual Storytelling: A Beneficial But Challenging Method for Health Research With Young People

Visual storytelling is a new research approach drawing on established methods of photovoice and photo elicitation. It appears well suited to research with young people. We explored the feasibility of this approach, reflecting on benefits and challenges encountered while using it during a study of chronic disease self-management in adolescents. During in-depth interviews, 68 participants were questioned about the value of visual storytelling. Thematic analysis was applied. Visual storytelling was valued for (a) being a draw card during recruitment and increasing positive feelings about the research; (b) being fun; (c) promoting self-understanding; and (d) promoting expression, communication, and focus during interviews. Deciding what to photograph was difficult. More time and effort was required by researchers than for a standard qualitative interview study. The technique facilitated rich interviews, drawing into focus details of young peoples’ lives that otherwise might not have been discussed.