Using Digital Storytelling with vulnerable young people

Using digital storytelling (DST) with vulnerable young Puerto Rican people in New England

Situation

Using digital storytelling (DST) with vulnerable young Puerto Rican people in New England. 30 people aged 15 to 21 went to a 4 day workshop, only one of them did not complete a digital story.

Authors

DiFulvio et al. (2016) used digital storytelling (DST) with vulnerable young Puerto Rican people in New England. 30 people aged 15 to 21 went to a 4 day workshop, only one of them did not complete a digital story.

Task

They were trying to improve the self-confidence and feelings of self-worth of troubled young people, the wider aim was to show that DST could be useful as a tool for achieving this in a wider variety of settings.

Actions

The subjects were followed up 3 months after the workshop and self-reported improved social interactions.

Results

Interestingly, immediately after the workshop they reported improved optimism and control over the future, however this was not sustained at the 3 month follow up.

Reflections

This highlights the potential of DST to improve self-worth and positive thinking but suggests that one off interventions may not be enough for lasting change.

References

DiFulvio GT, Gubirum AC, Fiddian-Green A, Lowe SE, Del Toro-Mejias LM, (2016) Digital Storytelling as a narrative health promotion process: Evaluation of a pilot study. International Quarterly Community Health Education 2016 Apr; 36(3): 157-64.