Health and wellness photovoice project: engaging consumers with serious mental illness in health care interventions.

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TitleHealth and wellness photovoice project: engaging consumers with serious mental illness in health care interventions.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2013
AuthorsCabassa, LJ, Parcesepe, A, Nicasio, A, Baxter, E, Tsemberis, S, Lewis-Fernández, R
JournalQual Health Res
Volume23
Issue5
Pagination618-30
Date Published2013 May
ISSN1049-7323
KeywordsCaenorhabditis elegans Proteins, Community-Based Participatory Research, Female, Health Behavior, Humans, Male, Mental Disorders, Middle Aged, Motor Activity, Patient Preference, Photography, Risk Reduction Behavior, Transcription Factors
Abstract

People with serious mental illnesses (SMI) are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease and premature mortality. We used photovoice in two supportive housing agencies to engage consumers with SMI to inform the implementation of health care interventions. Sixteen consumers participated in six weekly sessions in which they took photographs about their health and discussed the meanings of these photographs in individual interviews and group sessions. We identified several implementation themes related to consumers' preferences. Peer-based approaches were preferred more than clinician-driven models. Participants expressed a desire to learn practical skills through hands-on activities to modify health behaviors. Consumers expressed a desire to increase their physical activity. Participants revealed in their photographs and narratives the important role that communities' food environments play in shaping eating habits. In this article, we show how photovoice can generate valuable community knowledge to inform the translation of health care interventions in supportive housing agencies.

DOI10.1177/1049732312470872
Alternate JournalQual Health Res
PubMed ID23258117
PubMed Central IDPMC3818106
Grant ListK01 MH091118 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
K01 MH09118 01A1 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
L60 MD001850 / MD / NIMHD NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH076051 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R25 MH080916 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R25 MH080916-01A2 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States