Exploration of occupational barriers of at-promise youth with photovoice

Numerous circumstances affect the quality of life of youth including a higher risk for poverty, social exclusion, discrimination, mental health challenges and/or stigma, which effects their ability to engage in occupations (Iwasaki, 2014, p. 317). Through highlighting how photovoice has been utilized in the past with under-represented groups, we want to address occupational injustices faced daily by “At-promise” youth. Through utilizing a participatory led research, we want to further empower youth to be advocates in their community. Our intent will be to explore occupational injustices using Participatory Action Research (PAR) and photovoice methodology. Our research aim will be to utilize PAR as a guide for the youth to understand how to understand the root of barriers to occupation and how to promote action.

This research study will be done in collaboration with the 10th and 11th graders at Huckleberry ACE Academy in San Rafael, CA. Participants will take an active leadership role in the research by analyzing their photos together as a group. The participants will guide the research with their exploration of barriers in their occupations. PAR combines aspects of popular education, community-based research, and action for social change. Our team will work in collaboration with the participants in the final stage of the participatory action research project to decide the plan of action. Participants will distribute and/or present their chosen course of action directly correlated to what they decided in the previous session.

Data will be collected by May, 2021 and will be analyzed by September, 2021. The first stage of data analysis involves a practice focus group where the participants will collectively analyze their pictures and find common themes from their photos through a Google Jamboard. The OT student researchers will put each photo into a separate jamboard to be discussed among the participants. For stage two, the OT students take quotes from the transcript of the focus group which will be applied during the third meeting. This will help with looking at larger themes created by the participants in order to discuss a call to action.

This research raises awareness of occupational barriers of At-Promise youth. This also establishes an understanding of the prevalence and effects of racism on occupations in youth and developing appropriate supports. Community based involvement and engagement through the use of photovoice.