Towards an integrative self: a digital photo elicitation study of resilience among key marginalized populations of sexual and gender minority youth

Date

2021-08-10

Authors

Eaton, Andrew

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Abstract

Purpose: Sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) experience unique challenges related to identity and disclosure, and cope in vibrant ways. Qualitative research has not yet fulsomely explored the risk, resilience, and identity intersections that impact vulnerable SGMY wellbeing. Methods: This digital photo-elicitation study (QueerView) recruited thirty SGMY (aged 14–29) from priority populations that had one or more of the following experiences: trans and gender diverse, homelessness, child welfare, and immigration. From submission of fifteen photos representing resilience and a semi-structured interview via web conferencing, constructivist grounded theory was utilized for multimodal analysis of photos, interview video, and interview transcript. Triangulation, an audit trail, and member checking were employed to support trustworthiness. Results: A visual model emerged showing how participants work towards an integrative self, with themes of reflecting and knowing, discrimination and intersectional challenges, connecting, performing, curating, coping, (re)defining and (re)creating, growing and being. Sub-themes of the impact of family dynamic and values, mental health and trauma, and the cathartic benefit from advocacy and leadership offered insight. Participant images were captured in a digital gallery. Conclusions: QueerView animates the complex lives of multiply marginalized SGMY and their intersectional strengths and challenges while demonstrating the utility of a digital multimodal approach.

Description

© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Keywords

LGBTQ youth, digital methods, photo elicitation, grounded theory, online research, Canada

Citation

Shelley L. Craig, Andrew D. Eaton, Alexa Kirkland, Egag Egag, Rachael Pascoe, Kourteney King & Sreedevi Krishnan (2021) Towards an integrative self: a digital photo elicitation study of resilience among key marginalized populations of sexual and gender minority youth, International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 16:1, DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2021.1961572

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