Assessing emotional and social health using photographs: An innovative research method for rural studies and its applicability in a care-farming program for youth

Michael Francis Norwood; Ali Lakhani; Annick Maujean; Martin Downes; Simone Fullagar; Michelle McIntyre; Jason Byrne; Anna Stewart; Bonnie L Barber; Elizabeth Kendall

doi:10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2019.101707

Assessing emotional and social health using photographs: An innovative research method for rural studies and its applicability in a care-farming program for youth

Eval Program Plann. 2019 Dec:77:101707. doi: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2019.101707. Epub 2019 Sep 6.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ The Hopkins Centre, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, University Drive, Meadowbrook, Queensland, 4131, Australia. Electronic address: michael.norwood@griffithuni.edu.au.
² The Hopkins Centre, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, University Drive, Meadowbrook, Queensland, 4131, Australia.
³ Recovery Injury Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, 4006, Australia; Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Parklands, 4029, Australia; Centre for Applied Health Economics, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, School of Medicine, Griffith University, Queensland, 4111, Australia.
⁴ Centre for Applied Health Economics, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, School of Medicine, Griffith University, Queensland, 4111, Australia.
⁵ Department for Health, University of Bath, BA2 7AY, United Kingdom; Department of Tourism, Sport & Hotel Management, Griffith University, Queensland, 4222, Australia.
⁶ The Hopkins Centre, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, University Drive, Meadowbrook, Queensland, 4131, Australia; Synapse, 262 Montague Road, West End, Queensland, 4101, Australia.
⁷ Discipline of Geography and Spatial Sciences, School of Technology Environments and Design, College of Sciences and Engineering, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001, Australia.
⁸ School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University, Queensland, 4122, Australia.
⁹ Griffith Health, Griffith University, Queensland, 4122, Australia.

PMID: 31522110
DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2019.101707

Abstract

A framework for assessing photographs for the emotional and social health of young people (SHAPE) is described and tested, within the context of a rural program. Two independent raters assessed the photographs of participants. To assess inter-rater reliability, Cohen' K and Kendall's W were calculated. The two reviewers' assessments of photographs were in agreement. The assessment of emotional/behavioural display showed 82% agreement. Agreement between reviewers' judgements of proxemics (W = .866), interaction (W = .722), engagement (W = .932) and overall impression (W = .804) were all significant (p < .005). The method yielded results indicating that participants found gardening immediately engaging but their approach to equines exhibited a change from fascination to confidence during the program. The visual-diary method is a useful and sensitive method for research: where resources are limited; to complement traditional measures; for use with people who lack appropriate verbal communication or literacy skills to complete questionnaires; young children; other underrepresented groups.

Keywords: Bonding; Community-based participatory research; Equine-assisted psychotherapy; Horticultural therapy; Human-pet; Photograph analysis; Research design; Rural health services.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Agriculture
Diaries as Topic
Emotional Adjustment*
Emotions
Female
Gardening
Humans
Male
Photography*
Queensland
Rural Health*
Rural Population
Social Adjustment*