Constructing Journalistic Life History Narratives to Explore the Role Framework

Abstract

This chapter describes a unique methodology used to explore the utility of the role framework in conceptualizing how people benefit from mental health consumer-run organizations (CROs). The methodology is innovative in that it combines traditional ethnographic methods with the traditions of journalism to create compelling life history narratives. The narratives have strong didactic potential because they are accessible to lay audiences. Data collection consisted of participant observation, in-depth interviews, and documentary photography. The narratives provide an ethnographic look at the lived experience of having mental health problems, participating in a CRO, and making recovery progress. The chapter details the study setting, study sample, participant observation process, in-depth interviews, construction of life history narratives, and analysis of narratives.