First-generation students’ experiences of facilitators and barriers to health in their communities: A qualitative photovoice project using a socio-ecological approach

Objective: The purpose of this study was to use photovoice, a visual research methodology, to explore first-generation students’ experiences of what facilitates or acts as a barrier to health in their communities, using a socio-ecological approach. Participants: Six first-generation undergraduate students were included in this study. Methods: Participants were recruited via purposive sampling. Moreover, semi-structured interviews that incorporated the SHOWeD technique were conducted with participants. Then, First & Second Cycle coding was used to help analyze participant interviews. Themes identified were then stratified using the Socio-Ecological Model. Results: Three themes emerged as facilitators and two themes emerged as barriers to health. In addition, these themes fit within the organizational and community levels of the Socio-Ecological Model. Conclusions: This study explored first-generation students’ perceptions of what facilitates or acts as a barrier to health in their communities and identified these factors within the organizational and community levels of the Socio-Ecological Model.