Emancipatory Potential of Storytelling in a Group

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Abstract
Purpose: To examine the health‐promoting functions of storytelling in a group of women. Design: Secondary analysis, descriptive. A convenience sample of 28 women of African descent living in the Seattle‐Tacoma region of the United States was used. Methods: Narrative analysis of 115 stories. Data were audio‐taped in four focus groups convened during a 6‐week period in 1992. Findings: Six major functions of storytelling were identified: (a) contextual grounding, (b) bonding with others, (c) validating and affirming experiences, (d) venting and catharsis, (e) resisting oppression, and (f) educating others. Conclusions: Storytelling is useful for learning more about historical and contextual factors affecting the well‐being of women of African descent and for improving their lives. Group storytelling can create an environment that supports evaluation of experience and promotes problem‐solving.

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