ATTENDING TO METAPHOR IN TEENAGE DEPRESSION

Kok Jin Kuan, Lai Wai Yoong

Abstract


This study was designed to understand the experiences and emotions of teenage depression by attending to the metaphors described by the research participants. We examined the ways metaphor as a figurative language, help in the depression narrative which was understood as a state of despondency characterized by feeling of inadequacy, lowered activity, or pessimism about the future.  Qualitative research design was implemented where narrative inquiry and in- depth interviews were conducted.  A total of three participants were recruited in this study. Each participant was interviewed three times within a month where each session is approximately forty- five minutes to one hour. There were three metaphors found, namely Volcano, Black Hole, and Being Bitten by Big Fish.  The thematic analysis revealed that the depression experience was described as passive, involuntary and painful; however, recovery process was triggered off by an “awareness” moment which was related to interpersonal relationship.  Therefore this paper concluded that the expression of depression using metaphors has helped drawing out the profound specific emotions and it was insightful in the conceptualization experience, and a positive and supportive social context is helpful to enhance the recovery process of teenage depression.


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