A1 Journal article (refereed)
The Clip Approach : A Visual Methodology to Support the (Re)Construction of Life Narratives (2021)

Talsi, R., Laitila, A., Joensuu, T., & Saarinen, E. (2021). The Clip Approach : A Visual Methodology to Support the (Re)Construction of Life Narratives. Qualitative Health Research, 31(4), 789-803. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732320982945

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Talsi, Riikka; Laitila, Aarno; Joensuu, Timo; Saarinen, Esa

Journal or series: Qualitative Health Research

ISSN: 1049-7323

eISSN: 1552-7557

Publication year: 2021

Publication date: 11/02/2021

Volume: 31

Issue number: 4

Pages range: 789-803

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732320982945

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/76292

Abstract

Major life changes may cause an autobiographical rupture and a need to work on one’s narrative identity. This article introduces a new qualitative interview methodology originally developed to facilitate 10 prostate cancer patients and five spouses in the (re)creation of their life narratives in the context of a series of interventive interviews conducted over a timespan of several months. In “The Clip Approach” the interviewees’ words, phrases, and metaphors are reflected back in a physical form (“the Clips”) as visual artifacts that allow the interviewees to re-enter and re-consider their experience and life and re-construct their narratives concerning them. Honoring the interviewees as authors facilitates autobiographical reasoning, building a bridge between the past and the future, and embedding the illness experience as part of one’s life narrative. The Clip Approach provides new tools for both research and practice—potentially even a low-threshold psychosocial support method for various applicability areas.

Keywords: life history; experiences (knowledge); identity (mental objects); narrativity; autobiographical approach; diseases; prostate cancer; spouses; psychosocial support; interview study; narrative analysis; biographical research; methodology

Free keywords: life narrative; illness experience; autobiographical rupture; autobiographical reasoning; narrative identity; interview methodology; visual artifact; interventive interview; prostate cancer; spouse; psychosocial support method; qualitative; narrative-hermeneutic method; Finland

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

JUFO rating: 2