Digital Storytelling as a Narrative Health Promotion Process: Evaluation of a Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• Digital storytelling (DST) is a group process for sharing life narratives.
• DST's potential for health behavior change, especially in vulnerable youth, is under-assessed.
• This study examines DST outcomes for at-risk adolescent Latinas.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a 4-day DST workshop on vulnerable Puerto Rican Latinas (ages 15-21).
• To assess changes in self-esteem, social support, empowerment, and sexual attitudes/behaviors.
• To explore the sustainability of psychological benefits post-intervention.

Main Methods:

• 30 adolescent Puerto Rican Latinas participated in a 4-day DST workshop.
• 29 participants created 1-3 minute digital stories.
• Self-reported data were collected using validated scales at baseline, immediately post-workshop, and 3-month follow-up.

Main Results:

• Participants demonstrated increased positive social interactions from baseline to 3-month follow-up.
• Optimism and sense of control increased immediately after the workshop but were not sustained at 3 months.
• Qualitative data provided insights into participants' experiences and DST's implications.

Conclusions:

• DST shows promise for enhancing social connections among vulnerable youth.
• Short-term psychological benefits like optimism may not persist without continued support.
• Further research is needed to understand DST's long-term impact on health behaviors and empowerment in diverse adolescent populations.