Spatializing psychological well-being: A photovoice approach on the experience of stress alleviation among university students

• Main Authors: Girang, Bianca Camille, Chu, Denzel Patrick, Endrinal, Maria Isabella, Canoy, Nico A
• Format: text
• Published: Archīum Ateneo 2020
• Subjects: mental health; stress; methodological triangulation; place-based perspective; photovoice; campus spaces; Psychology
• Online Access: https://archium.ateneo.edu/psychology-faculty-pubs/249; https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14780887.2020.1716424?journalCode=uqrp20
• Institution: Ateneo De Manila University

Rising numbers of mental health-related cases are documented in university settings due to psychological distress. As a case exemplar, this study examined university students’ experiences of stress alleviation through the everyday use of campus spaces using photovoice methodology. Employing a qualitative triangulation method, we distilled insights from corroborating data gathered using SHOWeD focus group discussions and walking interviews. We also used participatory photo mapping (PPM) as a novel method to initially validate the findings through enhancing student participation, as well as, a strategy to achieve the final interpretative synthesis. Main findings showed three overarching spatial experiences of stress alleviation namely: being away from stressful places, being present but mentally away from a place, or being engaged within communal spaces. Discussion highlights practical implications on university mental health policy and use of campus spaces, as well as methodological implications in conducting photovoice projects.