Content area
Abstract
This art-based phenomenological study explores a mindful approach to photography and its implications in end-of-life caregiving. The focus is on how taking photos mindfully by those who are caregiving to a dying family member or close friend, might mediate, from the caregiver’s perspective, the experience of end-of-life care for all involved. Participants were guided to take photos in the context of their end-of-life caregiving over a period of 4 weeks, reflect on them by journaling, and also participate in an interview structured according to art-based phenomenology. The participants submitted their pictures and journal entries through secure e-mail to the researcher on a weekly basis. Given the phenomenological approach to this study, the researcher bracketed her assumptions that mindful photography in the context of caregiving for the dying enhances spiritual growth by invoking deeper awareness, acceptance of the anticipated loss, and meaning-making. She observed the nature of the participants’ lived experiences as impacted by their photos, subsequent reflections, and interviews. Once the data were collected the researcher wrote a descriptive report about the imagery, journal reflections, and interviews, and engaged in art-based phenomenological reflection and synthesis. Participants had the opportunity to reflect back on the researcher’s analysis through a member check procedure, and add additional reflections.
