The use of material objects in understanding the process of recovery from a first episode of schizophrenia

Abstract

Primary objective: The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how material objects symbolizing recovery from a first episode of schizophrenia (FES), captured in photographic images, contributed to the development of a theoretical model of the process of recovery. Research design: This study combined in-depth qualitative interviews with an auto driven elicitation technique. Specifically, young adult participants were asked to select a material object that symbolized their recovery from FES and to describe its inherent meaning. The use of material objects provided an additional layer of data which was triangulated with other data sources in efforts to enhance the understanding of the phenomenon being studied. Methods: In order to aid the analysis of the objects, questions were consolidated and adapted from the literature. Results: In discussing their objects, participants described that maintaining personal interests, taking medications, acknowledging the necessity of time, and continuing to pursue personal ambitions all played a role in promoting recovery and were represented in their self-selected objects. Conclusion: The selected material objects informed the development of a theoretical model of recovery from a FES. They also provided a visual representation of the dimensions that reflect its subjective nature. This paper highlights the value of incorporating image-based methods in future studies. In particular, the use of material objects with carefully chosen elicitation techniques has the capacity to access understanding of a phenomenon under study; the significance of which may not otherwise been fully acquired.