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A Biographical Approach A Biographical Approach for Social Workfor Social Work

2828thth CIF Conference, Kiljava, Finland CIF Conference, Kiljava, FinlandAug.Aug. 5, 2009 5, 2009

Johanna BjörkenheimJohanna Björkenheim

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A biographical approach A biographical approach

Why use it?Why use it? ConceptsConcepts How use it? How use it? What is it?What is it? When use it? When use it? DocumentationDocumentation Ethical aspectsEthical aspects

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Biographical narratives Biographical narratives in social workin social work

for collecting factual information about for collecting factual information about clients’ lives and life situations (life history)clients’ lives and life situations (life history)

as tools for change (life story)as tools for change (life story)

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EU Leonardo INVITE EU Leonardo INVITE 2003-2006:2003-2006:

What can What can vocational rehabilitation vocational rehabilitation gain from biographical research?gain from biographical research?

http://www.biographicalcounselling.comhttp://www.biographicalcounselling.com

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How can How can social workers social workers take into take into account the past life of their account the past life of their

clients?clients?

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EU Leonardo INVITE 2003-2006EU Leonardo INVITE 2003-2006 Literature reviewLiterature review

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Why biography?Why biography?

The present life situation is best understoodThe present life situation is best understood

when viewed against the structure (gestalt) of the when viewed against the structure (gestalt) of the entire life entire life story story (Rosenthal 2003, Jeppsson Grassman 2001)(Rosenthal 2003, Jeppsson Grassman 2001)

when you know when you know at what stage in life at what stage in life certain events happened, certain events happened, not just that they did not just that they did (Jeppsson Grassman 2001)(Jeppsson Grassman 2001)

when you know what were the when you know what were the historical, political and social historical, political and social conditionsconditions at the time a certain event happened in a person’s at the time a certain event happened in a person’s life life (Riemann 2003)(Riemann 2003)

when you know about the when you know about the client’s own viewclient’s own view of his/her life of his/her life

>>>> This has implications for social work.>>>> This has implications for social work.

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CONCEPTS (1)CONCEPTS (1)

Life historyLife history– – refers to the experiences a person has lived through refers to the experiences a person has lived through (Rosenthal (Rosenthal 2003)2003)

Life story, biographyLife story, biography– – someone’s narrated, personal life story as related to another in someone’s narrated, personal life story as related to another in conversation or as written down in present conversation or as written down in present timetime (Rosenthal 2003)(Rosenthal 2003)

Life courseLife course- involves study of ”the social patterns in the timing, duration, - involves study of ”the social patterns in the timing, duration, spacing, and order of events and roles of human life spacing, and order of events and roles of human life trajectories trajectories (Elder & Rockwell 1979) (Elder & Rockwell 1979) recognizing that these elements recognizing that these elements are consequences of plans that people carry forth within the are consequences of plans that people carry forth within the constraints of their social world” constraints of their social world” (Lopata & Levy 2003)(Lopata & Levy 2003). .

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CONCEPTS (2) CONCEPTS (2)

Narrative interview Narrative interview results in a results in a storystory about one or several about one or several themesthemes

Biographical interviewBiographical interviewresults in a usually quite long results in a usually quite long life life storystory

A biographical interviewA biographical interview is usually is usually narrativenarrative but but A narrative interview A narrative interview is not always is not always biographicalbiographical

(Riessman 2001)(Riessman 2001)

CONCEPTS (3)CONCEPTS (3)

Biographical identity Biographical identity

is the relationship between is the relationship between identity development identity development and and life history life history asas built up over a long timebuilt up over a long time

flows from two sources:flows from two sources:a) a) socio-biographical processessocio-biographical processes

b) b) agencyagency for constructing individual uniqueness for constructing individual uniqueness

(Betts et al 2007)(Betts et al 2007)

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CONCEPTS (4)CONCEPTS (4)

Biographical workBiographical work

aims at restoring the biographical identity…aims at restoring the biographical identity… ……by reconciling the ’reality principle’ and by reconciling the ’reality principle’ and

the ’creativity and self-empowerment the ’creativity and self-empowerment principle’.principle’.

(Betts et al 2007) (Betts et al 2007)

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How?How?

Biographical counsellingBiographical counsellingThree forms?Three forms?

1.1. Being generally sensitive for biographical Being generally sensitive for biographical considerations in rehabilition counselling considerations in rehabilition counselling (Betts et al 2007) > (Betts et al 2007) > ’biographical glasses’ ’biographical glasses’

2.2. Biographical interview as interventionBiographical interview as intervention (Rosenthal 2003)(Rosenthal 2003)

3.3. Analysing biography in a more technical way Analysing biography in a more technical way (Betts et al 2007)(Betts et al 2007)

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1. ’Biographical glasses’ 1. ’Biographical glasses’ Possible even in Possible even in shortshort encounters? encounters? A question of A question of relatingrelating to the client? to the client?

SeeingSeeing that the person has an identity and a biography, that the person has an identity and a biography, which are thus validated even if not known? which are thus validated even if not known?

Understanding that biography has been lived in a Understanding that biography has been lived in a contextcontext, psychological as well as social (micro / , psychological as well as social (micro / macro)?macro)?

NoticingNoticing a possible need for a longer biographical a possible need for a longer biographical interview? interview?

Other than verbal meansOther than verbal means of storytelling of storytelling A A life-spanlife-span perspective perspective

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2. The Biographical Interview as 2. The Biographical Interview as InterventionIntervention

Just telling your life story to someone can have Just telling your life story to someone can have psychological effectspsychological effects

Helps integrating and making senseHelps integrating and making sense Furthers self-understanding without much Furthers self-understanding without much

interpretationinterpretation Gives ideas for planning the futureGives ideas for planning the future(Rosenthal 2003)(Rosenthal 2003)

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A biographical interview in social work A biographical interview in social work compared to a biographical interview in compared to a biographical interview in

researchresearch

There are several, shorter main narratives, There are several, shorter main narratives, not just onenot just one

There is more narrative questioningThere is more narrative questioning

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Disadvantages of a biographical Disadvantages of a biographical interview in social work?interview in social work?

Too work- and time-consuming?Too work- and time-consuming? Effects too slow?Effects too slow? Recording and transcription seldom possible?Recording and transcription seldom possible? There needs to be a common understanding There needs to be a common understanding

about this way of working at the work-place?about this way of working at the work-place? Ethical issues too complicated?Ethical issues too complicated?

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What?What?

A biographical approach A biographical approach in social work means... in social work means...

……listening to andlistening to and ……respecting the life story as it is toldrespecting the life story as it is told ……respecting the line drawn by the client respecting the line drawn by the client

as to what is toldas to what is told ……a holistic way of workinga holistic way of working

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What?What?

The biographical approach The biographical approach in social work... in social work...

……is NOT one clearly defined working is NOT one clearly defined working methodmethod but a way to relate to people’s lives but a way to relate to people’s lives and life stories using different methodsand life stories using different methods

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When?When?

Life stories in social work Life stories in social work (Examples from the literature) (Examples from the literature)

Psychosocial assessmentsPsychosocial assessments Vocational rehabilitationVocational rehabilitation Substance misuseSubstance misuse Chronic illness, disabilitiesChronic illness, disabilities Bereavement Bereavement ElderlyElderly GroupsGroups

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Psychosocial assessmentsPsychosocial assessments

A psychosocial assessment is seen as an intervention A psychosocial assessment is seen as an intervention in itself, and the way it is done is important in itself, and the way it is done is important

In a narrative approach marginalising and oppressive In a narrative approach marginalising and oppressive dominant cultural stories are deconstructeddominant cultural stories are deconstructed

The service user is supported to create the meaning The service user is supported to create the meaning of his/her life and to reject stories imposed by othersof his/her life and to reject stories imposed by others

(Milner & O’Byrne 2002)(Milner & O’Byrne 2002)

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Vocational rehabilitationVocational rehabilitation

The meaning of vocation/profession, education, The meaning of vocation/profession, education, work historywork history

Stories help to structure the futureStories help to structure the future Dominant narratives may be supportive or Dominant narratives may be supportive or

restrictiverestrictive Dominant narratives may prevent rehabilitation Dominant narratives may prevent rehabilitation

workers seeing and accepting alternative workers seeing and accepting alternative narrativesnarratives

(Valkonen 2004)(Valkonen 2004)21

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Substance misuseSubstance misuse

How the misuse started, changed (and How the misuse started, changed (and stopped)stopped)

The role of substances in a person’s life (also The role of substances in a person’s life (also before the person started to use them)before the person started to use them)

(Levälahti 2005)(Levälahti 2005)

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Chronic illness, disabilityChronic illness, disability

Causes life changesCauses life changes Is not always a static condition that you adapt to once Is not always a static condition that you adapt to once

and for alland for all There may be a certain course which includes There may be a certain course which includes

deterioration of functiondeterioration of function The dynamic element and changes appear clearer The dynamic element and changes appear clearer

viewed from a life course perspectiveviewed from a life course perspective People’s experiences are differentPeople’s experiences are different(Jeppsson Grassman 2001)(Jeppsson Grassman 2001)

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Elderly and dying people…Elderly and dying people…

usually want to talk about their life…usually want to talk about their life… ……and get help to find positive aspects in the and get help to find positive aspects in the

life livedlife lived

(Molander 1999)(Molander 1999)

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BereavementBereavement

The wish to talk about the deceased person with others The wish to talk about the deceased person with others who knew him/her…who knew him/her…

……and together build a story about the deceased and together build a story about the deceased person’s life and reconstruct one’s own place in itperson’s life and reconstruct one’s own place in it

……can be more important than the emotional ’working can be more important than the emotional ’working through’ of the grief aiming at continuing life without through’ of the grief aiming at continuing life without the deceased.the deceased.

(Walter 1996)(Walter 1996)

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Peer support groupsPeer support groups

Sharing of life experiences in self-help Sharing of life experiences in self-help groups, reminiscence groups groups, reminiscence groups (Saarenheimo 1997) (Saarenheimo 1997)

etc.etc.

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Documenting life storiesDocumenting life stories

Openness about what is being documentedOpenness about what is being documented Documenting in collaboration? Documenting in collaboration? (Mann 2001)(Mann 2001)

Documenting separately?Documenting separately? Written autobiography, diary?Written autobiography, diary? What happens with the client’s material later?What happens with the client’s material later? Written narrative feedback to the client? Written narrative feedback to the client? (Milner (Milner

& O’Byrne 2002)& O’Byrne 2002)

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Ethical considerations Ethical considerations about the biographical interview?about the biographical interview?

For what purpose?For what purpose? When and when not?When and when not? Raises expectations of help that cannot be met?Raises expectations of help that cannot be met? Analysis and interpretation – by whom?Analysis and interpretation – by whom? How will it be used? By whom?How will it be used? By whom? Confidentiality?Confidentiality? Informed consent?Informed consent?

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ConclusionsConclusions Naming your way of working enables reflection and Naming your way of working enables reflection and

developing it in a more conscious, systematic and developing it in a more conscious, systematic and methodical way.methodical way.

Life stories should be used with discretion: With Life stories should be used with discretion: With whom? When? For what? How? whom? When? For what? How?

‘‘Biographical glasses’ can be used with most clientsBiographical glasses’ can be used with most clients The biographical approach at its best is holistic and The biographical approach at its best is holistic and

empoweringempowering

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******

Thank you!Thank you!

******

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References (1)References (1)

Betts, Sandra & Griffiths, Aled & Schütze, Fritz & Straus, Peter Betts, Sandra & Griffiths, Aled & Schütze, Fritz & Straus, Peter (2007) Biographical Counselling – an Introduction. Module 0 in (2007) Biographical Counselling – an Introduction. Module 0 in EU Leonardo INVITE Biographical Counselling in Rehabilitative EU Leonardo INVITE Biographical Counselling in Rehabilitative Vocational Training – Further Education Curriculum. Vocational Training – Further Education Curriculum. http://www.biographicalcounselling.com

Elder, Glen & Rockwell, RC (1979) The Life Course and Human Elder, Glen & Rockwell, RC (1979) The Life Course and Human Development: An Ecological Perspective. International Journal of Development: An Ecological Perspective. International Journal of Behavioral Development: 2:1-21.Behavioral Development: 2:1-21.

Jeppsson Grassman, Eva (2001) Jeppsson Grassman, Eva (2001) Tid, tillhörighet och anpassning. Tid, tillhörighet och anpassning. Kronisk sjukdom och funktionshinder ur ett livsloppsperspektiv. Kronisk sjukdom och funktionshinder ur ett livsloppsperspektiv. SVT 8 (4), 306-32. [Time, belonging, adaptation. Chronic illness SVT 8 (4), 306-32. [Time, belonging, adaptation. Chronic illness and handicap from a lifecycle perspective] and handicap from a lifecycle perspective]

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References (2)References (2) Levälahti, Johanna (2005) Levälahti, Johanna (2005) ) ”Egen vilja och andras hjälp. Om ) ”Egen vilja och andras hjälp. Om

sociala nätverk och socialt stöd i förändringsprocessen från sociala nätverk och socialt stöd i förändringsprocessen från alkoholmissbruk till nykterhet.” Master’ thesis of SW. University alkoholmissbruk till nykterhet.” Master’ thesis of SW. University of Helsinki.of Helsinki.

Lopata, Helena Z & Levy, Judith A (2003) The Construction of Lopata, Helena Z & Levy, Judith A (2003) The Construction of Social Problems across the Life Course. In Lopata & Levy (eds): Social Problems across the Life Course. In Lopata & Levy (eds): Social Problems across the Life Course. Lanham, Boulder, NY, Social Problems across the Life Course. Lanham, Boulder, NY, Toronto, Oxford: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.Toronto, Oxford: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.

Mann, Sue (2001) Collaborative representation: Narrative ideas in Mann, Sue (2001) Collaborative representation: Narrative ideas in practice. Dulwich Centre Publications. practice. Dulwich Centre Publications. http://www.dulwichecentre.com.au.com.au

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References (3)References (3) Milner, Judith & O’Byrne, Patrick (2002) Assessment in Social Milner, Judith & O’Byrne, Patrick (2002) Assessment in Social

Work. Second edition. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.Work. Second edition. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Molander, Gustaf (1999) Askel lyhenee, maa kutsuu. Molander, Gustaf (1999) Askel lyhenee, maa kutsuu. Yli 80-Yli 80-

vuotiaiden kuolema eletyn elämän valossa. vuotiaiden kuolema eletyn elämän valossa. Suomen Suomen Mielenterveysseura. Mielenterveysseura.

Riemann, Gerhard (2003, September) A Joint Project Against the Riemann, Gerhard (2003, September) A Joint Project Against the Backdrop of a Research Tradition: An Introduction to ”Doing Backdrop of a Research Tradition: An Introduction to ”Doing Biographical Research” [36 paragraphs]. Forum Qualitative Biographical Research” [36 paragraphs]. Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung / Forum: Qualitative Social Research [On-Line Sozialforschung / Forum: Qualitative Social Research [On-Line Journal, 4(3). Available at: Journal, 4(3). Available at: http://www.qualitative-research.net/fqs-http://www.qualitative-research.net/fqs-texte/3-03/3-03hrsg-e.htmtexte/3-03/3-03hrsg-e.htm [Date of access: November 1, 2006] [Date of access: November 1, 2006]

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References (4)References (4) Riessman, Riessman, Catherine Kohler (2001) Personal Troubles as Social Issues: Catherine Kohler (2001) Personal Troubles as Social Issues:

A Narrative of Infertility in Context. In Shaw, Ian & Gould, Nick A Narrative of Infertility in Context. In Shaw, Ian & Gould, Nick (2001) Qualitative Research in Social Work. London/Thousand (2001) Qualitative Research in Social Work. London/Thousand Oaks/New Delhi: Sage.Oaks/New Delhi: Sage.

Rosenthal, Gabriele (2003) The Healing Effects of Storytelling: On the Rosenthal, Gabriele (2003) The Healing Effects of Storytelling: On the Conditions of Curative Storytelling in the Context of Research and Conditions of Curative Storytelling in the Context of Research and Counseling. Qualitative Inquiry. Vol 9(6), 915-933.Counseling. Qualitative Inquiry. Vol 9(6), 915-933.

Saarenheimo, Marja (1997) Jos etsit kadonnutta aikaa. Vanhuus ja Saarenheimo, Marja (1997) Jos etsit kadonnutta aikaa. Vanhuus ja oman elämän muisteleminen. Univeristy of oman elämän muisteleminen. Univeristy of Tampere.Tampere.

Valkonen, Jukka (2004) Kuntoutus tarinoina. In Karjalainen, Vappu & Valkonen, Jukka (2004) Kuntoutus tarinoina. In Karjalainen, Vappu & Vilkkumaa, Ilpo (eds.) Vilkkumaa, Ilpo (eds.) Kuntoutus kanssamme. Ihmisen toimijuuden Kuntoutus kanssamme. Ihmisen toimijuuden tukeminen. Stakes.tukeminen. Stakes.

Walter, Tony (1996) A new model of grief: bereavement and Walter, Tony (1996) A new model of grief: bereavement and biography. Mortality, Vol. 1, No. 1, 7-25.biography. Mortality, Vol. 1, No. 1, 7-25.

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