Visual reconstructions of endometriosis pain: An interdisciplinary visual methodology for illness representation

Stella Bullo, Jasmine Heath Hearn
British journal of health psychology · 2024 · vol. 29(3) , pp. 676–693 · doi:10.1111/bjhp.12720 · PMID:38462537 · W4392757188
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-09 ⓘ

This study used a visual methodology combining psychological and linguistic analysis to explore how women with endometriosis represent their pain, finding a dominant theme of 'Pain as Physical Violence' conveyed through color, texture, and materials.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue resembling the endometrium grows outside of the womb, causing severe chronic pain. Research demonstrates the physical, emotional and quality of life impact on people with endometriosis, but pain is reportedly difficult to communicate, resulting in lengthier diagnosis. This work aimed to gain insight into the value of imagery production as a pain communication strategy through a novel synergy of psychological and linguistic/socio-semiotic approaches. DESIGN: A qualitative, multimodal, participant-generated imagery study. METHODS: Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) and conceptual metaphor and metonymy analysis were utilized to examine visual representations of endometriosis pain. Data were collected in two focus groups with four and six women, respectively; all with a diagnosis of endometriosis, aged 25-40 years old (M = 34.5, SD = 4.2) and a mean diagnosis delay of 8.4 years (SD = 3.6). RESULTS: The overarching theme across visual representations was 'Pain as Physical Violence' with 'colour as emotional representation', 'texture as sensory qualities' and 'materials as sensation' as sub-themes. These are realized through metaphorical and metonymical relations in both the visual representations as well as the accompanying linguistic representation of the process. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the value of a creative mixed-methodologies approach to capture experiential aspects of pain and its impact that are not verbalized in linguistic accounts alone. This can facilitate a deeper understanding of one's pain, acting as a medium for therapeutic adjustment to occur, while facilitating effective and empathic patient-professional conversations surrounding pain.

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Condition tags

mesh:D004715endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Focus Groups Focus Groups Focus Groups Focus Groups Qualitative Research Qualitative Research Qualitative Research Qualitative Research Adult Adult Adult Adult Chronic Pain Chronic Pain

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License: CC0 · commercial use OK