The impact of photovoice on the report of emotions in individuals with persistent physical symptoms: Results of an experimental trial

Abstract

Objective

Identifying and reporting emotions can be challenging for individuals with persistent physical symptoms (PPS), like tinnitus or tension-type headaches. Photovoice (PV) helps people identify and report their emotions by photographing relevant objects or situations. The aim of our study was to examine whether PV facilitates the report of emotions in individuals with PPS.

Methods

We randomly assigned 169 participants with PPS to one of three groups: a PV group, a writing group, or a passive control group. The PV group took daily photographs related to their symptoms and coping, the writing group wrote keywords, and the passive control group had no task. After a week, all participants completed an online writing task about their symptoms and coping, which was analyzed for the number of emotion words used. We also assessed self-reported affect, ability to identify and report emotions, and self-disclosure.

Results

Participants in the PV group used more emotion words in the writing task than the control groups. Specifically, the PV group used significantly more positive emotion words (F(2,166) = 26.86, p < .001) and fewer negative emotion words (F(2,166) = 8.28, p < .001) compared to the writing and control groups. No significant group differences were found for self-reported affect and self-disclosure.

Conclusions

PV promises to facilitate more positive, nuanced, and detailed reporting of emotions and may be therapeutically useful in gathering richer insights from the participant's perspective. Future research should target individuals who respond best to PV and develop tailored treatment to increase treatment effects.