'Draw, talk, draw, talk...'

A summary of Dr Zoë Boden’s research, shared at PHAR on 21^st September 2017, entitled Mapping Disrupted Relationships: Fragmentation, Connectedness, and Psychosis in Emerging Adulthood.

I’m new to IPA. So, when I was invited to attend the PHAR meeting last Thursday, it was with excitement that I accepted. Having only just begun my journey in the field of research I panic-read a book and three journal articles the night before. 

Don’t get me wrong, I find IPA interesting, but I grossly underestimated how insightful and, frankly, useful the research method appears to be.

Over the next half an hour, as I listened to the research presented, it became apparent that the IPA (using visual methods) served as a key with which to unlock service user’s experiences and engage them in lengthy and deep reflection about their experiences in early adulthood and the relationships around them. 

‘Draw, talk, draw, talk’, in my opinion, seems simplistic interview genius. 

As the key was turned, so experiences were shared via metaphorical and abstract images, lists, diagrams and portrait style drawings, all while making allowances for change as the interview progressed.  

The analysis was equally as intriguing.

Similar themes across the study population of struggle with identity, gender-specific roles within society and then ‘Relationary-Oriented Isolation’ (Dr Zoë Boden 2017). The term used to describe service user’s choosing to isolate the distressing part of their illness from certain individuals they are in relationship with. Interestingly, in the majority of cases, their mother. 

Discussion and feedback followed. By this stage I was so enthused by what I had heard that I am convinced IPA using Visual methods will be the research method of choice for my PhD.

I’m sure all who attended will agree, Dr Zoë Boden has something fresh and insightful in the research she shared with us.