What Makes People Sick?: The Drawing Method and Children's Conceptualisation of Health and Illness

Abstract

IN THIS PAPER, WE DISCUSS the use of the drawing method to examine the perceptions of health and illness among refugee children, their health knowledge and ways they regain their health when ill. In-depth interviewing and drawing methods were employed. Twelve Burmese refugee children, aged between eight and 12 years, took part in the drawing method as well as being interviewed individually. We found that the drawing method is an appropriate method for use in research with refugee children. This method helps to foster the possibility of implementing health education programs targeted at young refugees that aim to ‘fill the gaps’ of their health knowledge. We recommend that it is worthwhile for teachers and researchers in early childhood to use the drawing method for health education/promotion programs and future research with children and other vulnerable participants.