DORA :: Browsing by Author "Quincey, Kerry"

Browsing by Author "Quincey, Kerry"

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Open Access
Breast cancer and hair loss: Experiential similarities and differences in men and women's narratives
(Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2019-09-12) Trusson, D; Quincey, Kerry
Background: There are relatively few studies comparing men and women’s breast cancer experiences. Furthermore, men’s experiences of cancer treatment-induced alopecia have received scant academic attention compared to those of women. Objective: To explore experiences of treatment-induced alopecia in both sexes and highlight ways in which they might be supported when undergoing breast cancer treatment. Methods: Qualitative interviews and photographic data taken from two separate experiential inquiries were analysed together, focussing on references made to treatment-induced alopecia in women’s and men’s breast cancer accounts. Results: Hair loss was described as distressing by both sexes, affecting gendered identities and relationships. Men typically discussed losing body hair, whereas women rarely referred to body hair explicitly, underlining gendered aspects of their experiences. Differences were noted in coping strategies, with men using humour and asserting their masculinity. Women were better able to disguise hair loss, while men were forced to reveal their hairlessness. Conclusions: The findings contribute a nuanced understanding of the experience of treatment-induced alopecia for both men and women, which will help to improve their care during cancer treatment. Implications for Practice: Healthcare professionals should provide information about the possible implications of cancer-related alopecia for identities and social relationships for both sexes. Highlighting marked gender differences in cancer-related hair loss, advice and support specific to men’s needs would be particularly beneficial, enabling greater gender equality in clinical practice. Understanding the coping strategies employed by both sexes in relation to hair loss will help healthcare professionals to identify and address any underlying patient distress.
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Combining photographs with interviews in the context of phenomenological research around chronic illness: An evaluation.
(2016-08-25) Quincey, Kerry; Papaloukas, P.; Williamson, I. R.; Fish, Julie; Wildbur, D. J.
Background: Health psychologists’ adoption of contemporary qualitative research methodologies in recent times has enabled the rise of multiple integrative approaches applicable to the study of long-term conditions. Synthesis of visual and verbal qualitative methods simultaneously presents both potential opportunities and challenges, for the researcher and the researched. Drawing on our experiences of two research studies, both of which explore lived experiences of chronic illnesses in marginalised populations from a critical health psychology perspective, we consider some of the advantages and potential pitfalls of fusing qualitative methodologies. Methods: Both studies combine the collection and analysis of verbal and visual data; phenomenologically oriented semi-structured interviews together with photographs authored by participants themselves. One study focuses on 16 LGBT persons living with multiple sclerosis, while the second investigates 31 British men’s lived experiences of breast cancer. The visual component is informed by Photovoice methodology. All data are analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Findings: Combining the verbal and visual data forms has presented several challenges in both research studies, including epistemological, practical and ethical issues, concerns around ‘methodolatry’, participant comfort and engagement, and best practice for analysing the data. Despite such challenges, our experiences show methodological synergy is both possible and advantageous; allowing for richer understandings by enabling participants to ‘give voice’ beyond talk. Discussion: We discuss some of the benefits and shortcomings of combining verbal and visual data when investigating chronic illnesses. We conclude with recommendations for how qualitative health psychologists might further refine integrative approaches which combine verbal and visual data.
Open Access
The Experience of Living with Mesothelioma: A Meta-ethnographic Review and Synthesis of the Qualitative Literature.
(APA, 2021-12-05) Lond, Benjamin; Quincey, Kerry; Apps, Lindsay; Darlison, Liz; Williamson, I. R.
Objective: Mesothelioma is a life limiting cancer caused by previous exposure to asbestos. Due to the continued use of asbestos products internationally, the condition presents an increasing risk to global health with case numbers peaking in industrially developed nations. With the cancer reducing patient well-being, this study aimed to synthesises the qualitative findings of studies exploring the experiences of patients living with mesothelioma to generate new conceptual insights and guide therapeutic care. Method: Thirteen databases were systematically searched: Academic Search Premier, BioMed Central, British Nursing Database, CINAHL Plus, Cochrane Library, Europe PubMed Central, MEDLINE, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, Science Direct, Scopus, Social Care Online, and Web of Science, between August and September 2020. Included articles were subject to quality appraisal using CASP checklists, and their respective findings analysed using a meta-ethnographic form of qualitative data synthesis. Results: Twenty-two articles met the inclusion criteria, and the data synthesis produced three themes: (1) ‘complex trauma’; (2) ‘psycho-behavioural coping strategies’; and (3) ‘external sources of support’. Combined, these themes form a novel conceptual framework and awareness of the patient experience that presents the lived trauma of disease alongside a patients coping processes and support pathways. Conclusion: Robust therapeutic support is needed to address the psychosocial and existential burden shouldered by people with mesothelioma. Therapies which promote sentiments of acceptance, hope and benefit finding are proposed alongside initiatives that foster patient empowerment and meaning, and further promote patient choice in deciding end-of-life care. Recommendations for future research are also made.
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Exploring men's breast cancer experiences through an ethno-photographic lens: A multi-method phenomenological study.
(2016) Quincey, Kerry; Williamson, I. R.; Wildbur, D. J.
Background: Breast cancer in men is rare, under-researched and underfunded within both clinical and third-sector healthcare systems. Despite higher annual mortality than testicular cancer in the UK, breast cancer is frequently overlooked as a threat to men's health, often misperceived as a women-only illness. High-profile activism and awareness-raising around breast cancer in women has led to pervasive feminisation of the disease with ramifications for male patient-survivors. Method: 31 British men with a history of breast cancer participated in a multi-method qualitative study combining verbal and visual data collection. Participants were asked to illustrate their breast cancer experience using a series of self-authored/self-selected photographs, and to discuss these images as part of extended semi-structured interviews. All data collected were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Findings: Three themes are discussed, illustrated using extracts and photographs taken from the men's accounts: ‘Reclaiming Masculinity’, looks at how the men assert their masculinities and relate various aspects of their accounts of breast cancer to hegemonic male practices. Theme two, ‘The Self-Marginalising Man’, considers how the men themselves contribute to the marginalisation of breast cancer in men. Finally, ‘A Better Man’, reveals how the men position their breast cancer experience as life-enhancing and themselves as improved individuals. Discussion: We discuss and expand on the positioning of breast cancer in men as a marginalised malignancy, and demonstrate how being on the periphery of optimal psychosocial support poses challenges for men affected. We conclude by offering some suggestions for more inclusive breast cancer advocacy, and care practices.
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‘Marginalised malignancies’: A qualitative synthesis of men's accounts of living with breast cancer
(Social Science & Medicine, 2015-11-26) Williamson, I. R.; Winstanley, S.; Quincey, Kerry
Rationale: Breast cancer in men is a rare, under-researched illness frequently overlooked within both clinical and third-sector healthcare systems. Increased prevalence and high profile awareness-raising, advocacy and activism around breast cancer in women has led to pervasive feminisation of the disease, prompting a misperception of breast cancer as a women-only illness. This deters men from seeking medical attention, professional and social support, and increases sensitivity to body image concerns. Methods: Drawing on the principles of critical health psychology, we offer an interpretive and evaluative qualitative synthesis of existing academic literature in the field, and reveal how the marginalisation of men with breast cancer poses a host of psychosocial and psychosexual difficulties for patient-survivors beyond the primary cancer challenge at all stages of the illness trajectory. Results: We discuss how identities, masculinities, coping responses and resources, and relationships are often affected, and demonstrate how current approaches to breast cancer serve to isolate men who develop the illness, potentially alienating and emasculating them. Conclusion: Our analysis integrates and enhances the findings of the original papers through more theorised considerations of stigma, masculinity and marginalisation. Further, we briefly consider some of the ways men's experiences diverge and converge with women's accounts, and discuss the importance of re-appraising ‘pink ribbon culture’ for both men and women. We conclude with some recommendations for advocacy and intervention in professional and lay contexts.
Open Access
Men and breast cancer: what do we know and what do we need to do differently?
(2016-05) Quincey, Kerry; Shokuhi, S.; Williamson, I. R.; Appleton, D.; Wildbur, D. J.
Rare, under-researched and underfunded, breast cancer in men is frequently overlooked within health and care systems. Increased prevalence and sustained professional and public interest in breast cancer in women has led to pervasive feminisation of the disease and related clinical practices, posing important ramifications for male patient-survivors. Our research adopts a critical health psychology perspective and is two-fold: (1) an international qualitative synthesis of 8 existing studies looking at men's experiences of breast cancer; (2) an on-going study which involves collecting both verbal and photographic data from 31 British men who have experienced breast cancer. Integrating and triangulating the findings from the two study phases, we reveal how the marginalisation of men across the illness trajectory impinges on the male breast cancer experience and men's adjustment to the illness. Findings from the qualitative synthesis demonstrate how current approaches to breast cancer care and advocacy serve to isolate men who develop the disease, potentially alienating and emasculating them. Patient management practices and information resources intended for breast cancer patients unequivocally marginalise men. Preliminary findings from our work-in-progress confirm these earlier findings and further illuminate the difficulties encountered by male patient-survivors on the periphery of optimal psychosocial care and support. We expand on ideas surrounding stigma, masculinities and marginalisation relating to breast cancer in men, and conclude with recommendations for advocacy and intervention for improved future care and breast cancer practices.
Open Access
Men with breast cancer and their encounters with masculinity: An interpretative phenomenological analysis using photography
(American Psychological Association, 2021-02) Quincey, Kerry; Williamson, I. R.; Wildbur, Diane
Under-acknowledged clinically and socially, breast cancer in men is a critical health issue, with complex ramifications for those affected. Experiential research exploring men’s meaning making of breast cancer accordingly is scant. In this innovative multi-method inquiry, 31 British men, accessed from both clinical care and community contexts, took photographs to illustrate their breast cancer experiences and discussed these in extended semi-structured interviews. Verbal and photographic data were analysed together using interpretative phenomenological analysis through the emerging ‘visual voice’ paradigm. Findings illuminated both the multiple difficulties men encountered and the coping strategies they employed. In particular, the complex and dynamic ways in which men navigated, made sense of, and performed masculinity through their breast cancer journey was pivotal to understanding these experiences and how they presented their accounts, verbally and visually. Thus, the analysis presented identifies and illustrates three experiential and inter-connected encounters with masculinity: ‘Threatened-exposed’, ‘Protected-asserted’ and ‘Reconsidered-reconfigured’ which are presented both thematically and through a novel schematic representation. We demonstrate how men’s relationships with masculinity shapes their accounts of both the embodied lived experience of breast cancer and how the cancer experience, with its many changes, challenges, and consequences, is communicated to others. How and why men encounter/perform these different masculinities at different points in time across the breast cancer trajectory, and how this aids their adjustment to illness and life post-diagnosis is considered. We conclude with recommendations for improved future breast cancer care and support and suggest future research directions with this community of hitherto under-researched and under-represented men.
Open Access
‘The real me shining through M.E.’: Visualizing Masculinity and Identity Threat in Men with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Using Photovoice and IPA.
(APA, 2019) Wilde, Lucina; Quincey, Kerry; Williamson, I. R.
Phenomenological research in the context of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.) or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) has predominantly explored women’s accounts. Due to the paucity of research highlighting men’s experiences of living with M.E./CFS, the aim of this research was to explore their visual and verbal accounts to gain a more in-depth understanding of how they make sense of their diagnosis and dual identity as a man with a stigmatized and often misunderstood chronic illness. Working within a critical health psychology framework the study utilised a phenomenological approach and an adapted version of Photovoice to gather and interrogate self-authored photographs and interview accounts from ten men living with M.E./CFS. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the integrated visual and verbal data led to the development of three themes: ‘Loss of Masculine Identity as Man with M.E./CFS’, ‘Marginalization attached to M.E./CFS and Masculinity’ and ‘Coping with Dual Identity by Adjustments, Assimilation and Acceptance’. The findings show how men with CFS cope with identity threat across personal, social, and cultural contexts, whilst making adaptations in their perceptions and performances of masculinity. We argue that participant-authored photographs could be used by researchers, activists and practitioners to facilitate increased understanding of and support for men with M.E./CFS.
Open Access
Shifting Masculinities Amongst Men Diagnosed with Breast Cancer: A Multi-Method Phenomenological Inquiry
(De Montfort University, 2017-11) Quincey, Kerry
Under-acknowledged both clinically and socially as a threat to men’s health, breast cancer in men continues to be a critical health issue, with complex ramifications for those affected. Research exploring men’s breast cancer experiences and their lives beyond the diagnosis remain limited. Hence, this inquiry asks ‘How do men describe breast cancer and their experiences of the illness?’ the aim, to advance understandings about men’s meaning-making of breast cancer and masculinity, and to ‘give voice’ to this under-researched population. Embedded theoretically and methodologically within a critical qualitative health framework, the research has two parts. Part one is a qualitative synthesis of nine existing international studies exploring men’s breast cancer experiences, following Noblit and Hare’s (1988) method for synthesising interpretive qualitative data. The outcomes of this synthesis were used to inform part two: a multi-method phenomenological exploration of men’s breast cancer accounts using verbal and visual data. Thirty-One British men recruited through NHS records, Breast Cancer Care, and social media platforms, used self-authored photographs to illustrate their breast cancer experiences, which they later discussed as part of extended semi-structured interviews. All data were analysed together using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith & Osborn, 2003). Integrating and triangulating the findings from the two study phases, the on-going marginalisation of men across the breast cancer trajectory, and how this influences men’s experiences of, and adjustment to the illness, are revealed. Findings from the qualitative synthesis suggest current approaches to breast cancer care and advocacy serve to isolate men, potentially alienating and emasculating them; while patient management practices and informational resources unequivocally marginalise men. Findings from the new inquiry corroborate those from earlier studies, further illuminating the difficulties men encounter and some of their coping strategies. Specifically, three superordinate masculinities were identified: ‘threatened and exposed’, ‘protected and asserted’, and ‘reconsidered and reconfigured’. A schematic representation is presented to show how these interconnected masculinities are encountered, performed and utilised by men from pre-diagnosis through treatment and beyond as they manage, make sense of, and live through breast cancer. How and why men encounter/perform these different masculinities at different points in time across the breast cancer trajectory, and how this aids men’s adjustment to illness, and life beyond the diagnosis, is considered. The findings are expected to have both academic and real-world impact through informing future research, and recommendations for advocacy and intervention for improved future breast cancer care and practices.
Open Access
Shifting masculinities amongst men diagnosed with breast cancer: a multi-method phenomenological inquiry
(2017-08-30) Williamson, I. R.; Wildbur, D.; Quincey, Kerry
Background: Underacknowledged clinically and socially as a threat to men’s health, breast cancer in men persists as a critical health issue, with complex ramifications for those affected. Research exploring men’s breast cancer experiences and life beyond the illness event remains limited. Therefore, this research asks ‘How do we understand the experiences of men diagnosed with breast cancer?’ and aims to advance knowledge regarding men’s meaning-making of breast cancer and masculinity, and to give voice to what is currently an under-researched minority group. Methods: Thirty-One British men recruited via clinical records, a UK breast cancer charity and social media, recounted their breast cancer experiences using self-authored/selected photographs which they later discussed as part of extended semi-structured interviews. All data were analysed thematically following principles and conventions of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Findings: Findings revealed three superordinate masculinities: ‘threatened/exposed’, ‘protected/asserted’ and a ‘renewed/revitalised’ masculinity, which collectively demonstrate how the men implement and transition between masculinities across the illness trajectory, as they manage, make sense of and live through breast cancer. Using a model, we show how these masculinities are processed by the men from illness onset right through to being in-recovery. We discuss and evidence the identified masculinities, and their interrelationships, using quotes and images taken from the participants’ interview transcripts. Discussion: We consider how adopting these different masculinities at different points in time across the breast cancer episode aids men’s’ adjustment to illness, and re-adjustment to life post diagnosis and treatment. We conclude with recommendations for improving male patients’ experiences and outcomes
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Stop marginalising men with breast cancer
(The Conversation, 2018-10-19) Quincey, Kerry
Embargo
Unanticipated voices? Reflections from our ongoing ‘adventures’ with participant authored photography, interviewing and interpretative phenomenology
(Elsevier, 2022) Williamson, I. R.; Quincey, Kerry; Lond, Benjamin; Papaloukas, Periklis
Using participant-authored photography to inform and complement the collection of interview data is increasingly popular in Psychology but reflective accounts of issues faced by researchers and participants remain scarce. We therefore present a critical commentary on some of the unexpected outcomes that have emerged during recent studies on health and disability which have employed this approach. Under the theme of ‘unanticipated voices’ we discuss some of the challenges we have experienced around data gathering, interpretation, presentation and dissemination. We consider methodological, theoretical and ethical challenges for this paradigm and some of the challenges involved in publishing this type of work.
Embargo
Unanticipated voices? Reflections from our ongoing ‘adventures’ with participant-authored photography, interviewing and interpretative phenomenology
(Elsevier, 2021-06-29) Williamson, I. R.; Quincey, Kerry; Lond, Benjamin J; Papaloukas, Periklis
Using participant-authored photography to inform and complement the collection of interview data is increasingly popular in Psychology but reflective accounts of issues faced by researchers and participants remain scarce. We therefore present a critical commentary on some of the unexpected outcomes that have emerged during recent studies on health and disability which have employed this approach. Under the theme of ‘unanticipated voices’ we discuss some of the challenges we have experienced around data gathering, interpretation, presentation and dissemination. We consider methodological, theoretical and ethical challenges for this paradigm and some of the challenges involved in publishing this type of work.
Metadata only
Using Photography in Phenomenological Research in The Context of Chronic Illness and Disability: A Reflective Overview
(2017-02-06) Williamson, I. R.; Papaloukas, P.; Quincey, Kerry; Lond, B; Akhtar, Y
As qualitative health researchers are increasingly recognising the limitations of one-off interviews for accessing the ‘lifeworld’ of participants, and the taking and sharing of photographs to document aspects of day to day life has become a quotidian (but arguably mundane) habit for many, so research integrating a photographic component is flourishing. In this presentation we reflect on our experiences of integrating participant-authored photographs with semi-structured interviews within an interpretative phenomenological approach. As critical health psychologists our focus has been on aiming to give an ‘authentic’ voice to individuals and communities who might be considered marginalised or hard-to-reach. Thus, we illustrate our arguments using examples from a series of recent research projects which have looked at LGBT people living with multiple sclerosis, men with breast cancer, mothers of daughters with Rett syndrome and partners of individuals with acquired brain injury. We discuss how participants found taking the photographs, the barriers some participants faced and how we tried to overcome these. We reflect on the nature of the photographs taken and discuss various strategies for integration with the interview component for synergistic results. We consider methodological, epistemological and ethical aspects with a particular focus on concerns around ‘methodolatry’. In the final part of the presentation we explore the challenges of interpretation using two examples – “gym bathroom” from the MS study, and “cloud” from the men with breast cancer study. We conclude with some thoughts about what collaboration should mean in relation to research using photography in this field of research activity.
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Venturing into the visual voice: combining photos and interviews in phenomenological inquiry around marginalisation and chronic illness
(Taylor and Francis, 2017-05-11) Papaloukas, P.; Williamson, I. R.; Quincey, Kerry
In this article, we present a reflection on the research process of combining photographs with phenomenologically oriented interviews. Two studies in the field of chronic illness with marginalised individuals (lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans* people living with MS; men diagnosed with breast cancer) are employed to illustrate a range of conceptual, methodological and pragmatic issues. Both studies draw upon an integrative theoretical framework within a critical health psychology epistemological paradigm informed by phenomenological psychology and visual methodologies. The data collected for both studies have been analysed through interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Weoffer some thoughts regarding certain challenges and opportunities of synergising verbal and visual data and illustrate our arguments through a series of examples from the two studies, which are critically discussed. We argue that qualitative research in psychology benefits from an enhanced multimethodological approach employing existential phenomenological psychology and visual methodologies, especially when exploring chronic illness in marginalised communities, and we outline benefits for the wider community of qualitative researchers in psychology.

Browsing by Author "Quincey, Kerry"

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