Photovoice as an intervention for college students living with mental illness: A pilot study

INTRODUCTION: Photovoice is a participatory-action research method in which participants capture and collectively reflect upon photos of their lived experience. Photovoice participation may be beneficial for individuals living with mental illness, but its effects have not been quantitatively measured. METHODS: In this pilot study, 20 college students living with a mental illness and prescribed at least 1 medication were randomized to a Photovoice group intervention or usual group counseling, which was an active control. Participants completed the BURNS Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and Medication Adherence Rating Scale at baseline and 8 weeks. Between-groups comparisons were conducted. RESULTS: Photovoice participants experienced a significantly greater reduction in the BURNS Anxiety Inventory (–8.5 vs –2.6; P = .049) compared to control participants. No difference was seen in change in the Beck Depression Inventory (6.7 in the Photovoice group vs 0.2 among controls; P = .26). Mean medication adherence scores worsened in both groups from baseline with no difference between the groups (1 vs 0.86; P = .16). DISCUSSION: Photovoice may be a resource-efficient and effective intervention to reduce anxiety among college students with mental illness; however, it may be associated with poorer medication adherence. Further study is needed to evaluate these findings.