Dialogic-reflection for the development of critical thinking in international art-based psychosocial research

ABSTRACT Background In recent years, in the face of natural disasters, mass migration and war in a globalising world, professionals from Western societies are conducting art-based psychosocial interventions to support struggling communities. The human encounters that take place during these interventions and the subsequent examination of these encounters by researchers are saddled with power dynamics and cultural differences. A critical stance is required to better address the complex issues of power and oppression that surface; a more authentic framework can make room for cultural humility. Aims In this joint dialogical-heuristic research, we describe our critical thinking on cross-cultural research pertaining to art-based, psychosocial and cross-cultural interventions. Methods This heuristic study involved analysing transcripts of the two researchers` dialogic reflection (DR) following their interviews with Filipino women, participants of an IsraAID group training programme in the aftermath of the Yolanda Typhon. Results The results describe our thoughts on conducting cross-cultural art-based research and the meaning of DR in this context, and focus on three main themes: the evolution and accuracy of the research during data collection; our self-reflection as researchers, and our experience in this cross-cultural setting. Conclusions The use of art and DR in art-based cross-cultural qualitative research adds value to the discourse on cultural humility. Implications for practice The discussion includes recommendations for using an ongoing process of reflection to facilitate active negotiation of the researchers’ position during the research process, and to enable questions that can better steer the study and promote sensitivity to cross-cultural dilemmas. Plain-language summary In recent years, in the wake of natural disasters, mass immigration and military conflicts across the globe, professionals from the Western world are conducting art-based psychosocial interventions designed to support struggling communities. Power dynamics and cultural differences have a clear impact on these human encounters and subsequent research of these interventions. Complex issues of power and oppression can be better addressed by adopting a critical stance and enabling an authentic framework that can promote a position of cultural humility. In this joint dialogical-heuristic research, we present our critical thinking in regard to a cross-cultural study of art-based psychosocial cross-cultural interventions. We analysed transcripts of dialogic reflection (DR) that we engaged in after interviewing Filipino women who participated in an IsraAid group training programme in the aftermath of the Yolanda Typhon. The results present our insights on cross-cultural, art-based research and the significance of DR in this process, and focus on three main themes: the evolution and accuracy of the data collection process, our self-reflection as researchers, and our experience in this cross-cultural setting. The discussion focusses on the advantages of using art and DR in an art-based cross-cultural, qualitative study. Possible applications are presented, along with recommendations for the use of an ongoing reflection process that facilitates the active negotiation of the researchers’ position during the research process and enables questions that can steer the study in the right direction and promote sensitivity to cross-cultural dilemmas.