Blurring the frame: Youth-defined photographic expression in participatory research on adverse childhood experiences

Mankee-Williams, Anna ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0829-8441, Batool, Syeda Sana ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1720-7123, Bhui, Kamaldeep, Naqvi, Syed Ali Jafar, Hanrahan, Jack ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3999-0393 and Bennett, Grace (2026) Blurring the frame: Youth-defined photographic expression in participatory research on adverse childhood experiences. Media International Australia, 199 (1). pp. 151-172. ISSN 2200-467X

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Abstract / Summary

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) contribute to 75% of mental illness cases in the UK before age 24, yet their emotional impacts are rarely explored through young people's perspectives. This study investigates how youth with ACEs use blurriness in photography as a form of emotional expression and narrative control. Using a participatory methodology, young people acted as co-researchers through photography tasks, Jamboard discussions and blog reflections. Blurred images – emerging spontaneously – became key artefacts for reflection and meaning-making. Thematic analysis, informed by Constructivist and Chaos Theories, found that blurriness symbolised confusion, fragmentation, vulnerability and distance. It also offered a way to express difficult emotions while avoiding overexposure. Participants associated blurred photography with youth visual culture, especially social media aesthetics that value imperfection and authenticity. This research demonstrates the potential of arts-based, co-produced methods to amplify marginalised youth voices and proposes a participatory visual framework for exploring emotional expression among young people affected by ACEs.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.1177/1329878x261433326
ISSN:	2200-467X
Subjects:	Health > Mental Health Photography
Department:	Academy of Innovation and Research
Related URLs:	https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-...
SWORD Depositor:	Mr Pub Router
Depositing User:	Mr Pub Router
Date Deposited:	12 May 2026 14:48
Last Modified:	12 May 2026 14:48
URI:	https://repository.falmouth.ac.uk/id/eprint/6437

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