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

Objective: 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.

Methods: Trained researchers conducted semi-structured interviews (n = 23) with individuals who had participated in a hepatitis B storytelling campaign.

Results: 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.

Conclusion: While more research is needed, these study results can be used to enhance future engagement, training, and experiences of hepatitis B storytellers.

Practice implications: Findings provide insight into how storytelling can impact the sharing their story and provide important implications for future storytelling campaigns.