Young women’s embodied inner narratives of desired future in mild-to-moderate depression
Keywords:
embodied narrative, late adolescence, dance-based participatory research, depression, model of narrative circulationAbstract
This paper examines the lived experiences of seven young women with mild-to-moderate depression on dance-based participatory research from the perspective of narrative futuring (NF). The data consists of letters on desired future and reflective letters. The letters were analyzed with inductive thematic content analysis and later abductively interpreted with the concepts of inner and lived narratives drawn from the model of narrative circulation. The findings were condensed into four themes: 1) Love, self-respect, and self-actualization; 2) The tripod of peace of mind; 3) Peer support at significant turning points; and 4) The future. Overall, the method of danced NF facilitated a bodily connection, allowing the individual to discover personal meaning-making on depression, to envisage the possible desired future and to take steps towards it. Therefore, the corporeally and socially affirmed inner narratives contributed to the lived narratives. In conclusion, the findings suggest that embodied inner narratives derived from the desired future may contribute to lived narratives and improve mood in the short term. Although the findings must be considered preliminary, they may have practical implications for the prevention and alleviation of depression and possibly offer a multimodal and youth-friendly approach in health-care services.
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