Recovery from mental distress: a review of photography-based methods (protocol)

The aim of this systematic review is to identify evidence for the use of photography-based research methods in eliciting the experience and meanings of recovery from mental distress from the perspective of people with mental health problems. Objectives:

• Identify the different uses of photography-based methods in recovery research

• Explore researchers’ rationale for choosing photography as a tool in exploring recovery, including, where available, the theoretical perspectives in which photographic research methods are anchored

• Synthesise the findings from mental health research using photographic methods and identify themes of recovery

• Appraise the quality of the reporting and the quality of the research exploring recovery from mental distress through photography

• Synthesise the findings to answer the following questions that will support the decision-making process throughout the research phase:

What are the benefits of researchers’ using photography in exploring recovery?

What photography-based methods have been employed in recovery research?

How have these methods been used and in what settings?

What ethical challenges may arise in relation to using photography in recovery research?

Does photography support/promote recovery from mental health distress? If so, how?