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Violence as a health disparity: Adolescents' perceptions of violence depicted through photovoice.

Author
Abstract
:

Violence is a public health issue that disproportionately affects adolescents from historically marginalized communities. In response to growing concerns of local violence, our community-academic partnership explored adolescents' perspectives about violence, including perceptions of its causes, consequences, and potential solutions. Ten adolescents participated in a 12-week photovoice project. They received training in basic research methodologies, documented representations of violence through digital photography and creative writing, engaged in empowerment-based photo-discussions, and presented their work to influential advocates in a community forum. Adolescents and staff conducted a thematic analysis of photographs and narratives from which 10 themes emerged across 3 domains: a culture of violence and oppression, structural violence, and mental and physical health. Adolescents presented their work to community stakeholders in a public forum to foster additional discussions regarding violence in the community. This photovoice project yielded rich qualitative insight into adolescents' experiences with and perceptions of violence.

Year of Publication
:
2018
Journal
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Journal of community psychology
Volume
:
46
Issue
:
8
Number of Pages
:
1026-1044
ISSN Number
:
0090-4392
URL
:
https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22089
DOI
:
10.1002/jcop.22089
Short Title
:
J Community Psychol
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