Emotional health in adolescents from a critical perspective: Photo-elicitation in a cross-cultural neighborhood

Adolescent emotional health and well-being have been of growing interest as a result of the disproportionate impact that the COVID-19 syndemic has had on this population. Currently, most available evidence approaches this problem from an adult-centered perspective. Our study used visual methodology to critically analyze the sociocultural and environmental factors which may promote emotional health in adolescents residing in a cross-cultural neighborhood in Barcelona. Photo-elicitation was used to capture the perspective of 86 adolescents aged 15–17 years in a privately-owned but state-funded school. The sample included 43 boys, 42 girls, and 1 person whose gender was not specified. 44 participants had at least one parent born outside of Spain. Each participant submitted a photograph, which was used to share personal narratives by inspiring discussions about the context and significance of the image in group settings and through individual written reflections. The resulting image-text units were analyzed collaboratively during group discussions, followed by data organization, coding, and thematic analysis. Most photographs were situated in the Barcelona metropolitan area, and the most commonly photographed location was inside the home. Well-being was intricately tied to emotional bonds with family, pets, and, to a lesser extent, friendship. Additionally, well-being was associated with nature, physical activity, and creativity. Important gender differences were observed highlighting the continued influence of conventional gender norms, and the family's migration history emerged as a relevant axis influencing emotional health. This study highlights the importance of forging participatory spaces for dialogue, both among peers and between adolescents and adults. By amplifying the voices and experiences of adolescents, these findings contribute to a nuanced understanding of the factors influencing emotional well-being and can provide insight into future research and interventions by directly considering the adolescent perspective.