| 119 5 techniques for some participants. This reinforces the need for flexibility in data collection methods based on the needs, preferences and abilities of participants (49). Meaningfulness We also evaluated the projective and enabling techniques in relation to the extent to which they supported a connection with the research topic and engagement with the issues surrounding a diagnosis of dementia and postdiagnostic supports. Word association activities were useful to prompt a variety of responses including those associated with the social aspects of dementia (e.g., stereotypes, stigma) and specific emotional responses (e.g., fear, sadness). However, the free-flowing nature of the brainstorming was associated with minimal delays between the offering of word associations by different participants, so did not always provoke emotional responses from participants (49). Interviewer: ‘Okay. [silence] And uh does it also evoke certain emotions in you?’ Participant: ‘No. No.’ Interviewer: ‘Okay. So basically, what you say by the word dementia I think of forgetfulness and how to deal with that and the situation with my mother.’ The Netherlands, Participant 1 In contrast, the photo elicitation techniques frequently prompted both strong empathy for the hypothetical characters and emotional responses and reflections from participants on the personal aspects of being diagnosed. The photos prompted reflections on the deep emotions associated with the diagnostic experience. This included frustration, stress, and horror. Interviewer: ‘A few weeks after the event. [Do] you think she’s been doing anything to try and come to terms with the diagnosis she’s received.’ Participant 4: ‘I repeat my previous comment, horror.’ Participant 5: ‘And probably worse.’ Participant 4: ‘Well, yes, I mean, what else is worse?’ Participant 5: ‘Did you stop sleeping?’ Participant 4: ‘I have had very broken sleep, and I never used to know, used to get troubled with sleep at all’. Australia, Participants 4 and 5
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