Exploring the Impact of Storytelling on Storytellers in a Hepatitis B Health Communication Context.

Abstract

In order to address the stigma associated with hepatitis B, increase awareness, encourage testing, and promote prevention through vaccination, a storytelling campaign featuring people living with hepatitis B and their family members was developed. Storytelling campaigns have been evaluated for their impact on the viewing audience; however, few studies have examined the impact of storytelling on storytellers themselves. This study seeks to examine the experiences of the individuals telling their stories. Trained researchers conducted semi-structured interviews (n = 23) with individuals who had participated in a hepatitis B storytelling campaign. A thematic analysis of the interviews produced four overarching themes: 1) Outreach; 2) Emotion; 3) Education; and 4) Stigma. The interviews demonstrate that participants found storytelling to be a positive, comfortable, and emotional experience, and that it motivated them to educate others and increase awareness. Additionally, participants identified the need to increase outreach and address stigma related to hepatitis B. While more research is needed, these study results can be used to enhance future engagement, training, and experiences of hepatitis B storytellers. Findings provide insight into how storytelling can impact the sharing their story and provide important implications for future storytelling campaigns.