A1 Journal article (refereed)
‘A healthy lifestyle is a journey’ : exploring health perceptions and self-defined facilitators to health through photo-elicitation (2023)


Palacz-Poborczyk, I., Chamberlain, K., Naughton, F., Baska, A., Luszczynska, A., Quested, E., Hagger, M. S., Pagoto, S., Verboon, P., Robinson, S., & Kwasnicka, D. (2023). ‘A healthy lifestyle is a journey’ : exploring health perceptions and self-defined facilitators to health through photo-elicitation. Psychology and Health, Early online. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2023.2252874


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editorsPalacz-Poborczyk, Iga; Chamberlain, Kerry; Naughton, Felix; Baska, Alicja; Luszczynska, Aleksandra; Quested, Eleanor; Hagger, Martin S.; Pagoto, Sherry; Verboon, Peter; Robinson, Suzanne; et al.

Journal or seriesPsychology and Health

ISSN0887-0446

eISSN1476-8321

Publication year2023

Publication date07/09/2023

VolumeEarly online

PublisherRoutledge

Publication countrySwitzerland

Publication languageEnglish

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2023.2252874

Publication open accessNot open

Publication channel open access

Publication is parallel published (JYX)https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/93575


Abstract

Objective
The aim of this study was to explore health perceptions and self-defined facilitators to health in general population. An additional aim of the study was to assess if these perceptions were connected with the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Design
We applied photo-elicitation method by gathering original photographs and narratives (captions) via social media and e-mails. Participants (N = 50) were asked to answer the question: ‘What does it mean to be healthy?’. Data were collected online in Poland. We generated and interpreted the main themes associated with common perceptions of health and self-defined facilitators to health using polytextual thematic analysis.

Results
The health perception themes were, health as: a ‘long journey’; keeping balance; and self-acceptance. The main facilitators to health were: enjoyment of activities that are part of a healthy lifestyle; planning time for rest; contact with nature, and supportive relationships. Participants’ perceptions of how Covid-19 impacted on their health differed.

Conclusions
The findings provide evidence for individual health perceptions and self-defined facilitators to health and can support the development of future health interventions.


Keywordshealthhealth promotionself-rated healthconceptionsphotographsCOVID-19pandemics

Free keywordshealth perception; photo elicitation; visual methodologies; covid-19


Contributing organizations


Ministry reportingYes

VIRTA submission year2023

JUFO rating2


Last updated on 2025-23-01 at 11:33