Untellable tales and uncertain futures: the unfolding narratives of young adults with cancer

Pearce, Susie, Gibson, Faith, Whelan, Jeremy and Kelly, Daniel ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1847-0655 2020. Untellable tales and uncertain futures: the unfolding narratives of young adults with cancer. International Journal of Social Research Methodology 23 (4) , pp. 377-390. 10.1080/13645579.2020.1719614

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Abstract

In this paper, we examine the use of creative methods for understanding the experience of young adults aged between 16 and 30 years over a year following a cancer diagnosis. Exploring the renegotiation of identity, the narrative, longitudinal research design of the study demonstrated the unfolding process of the narrative work between participants and researcher. We used a combination of visual, spoken and reflexive psychosocial approaches to understand emergent narratives, many of which do not always find symbolisation in language. Our methodological approach focused on the difficult and sometimes ‘unspeakable’ nature of the young adults’ narratives, demonstrating the importance of different modes of communication in articulating complicated relations with uncertain futures. In this respect the links between narrative, social action and the imagining of possible futures are precarious. In this paper, we explore how untellable issues were explored, and the challenges of doing so.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Healthcare Sciences
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
ISSN:	1364-5579
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	7 February 2020
Date of Acceptance:	3 February 2020
Last Modified:	15 Nov 2024 22:15
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/129407

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