DEVELOPMENTAL CRISIS IN EARLY ADULTHOOD: A ...

The Participant Feedback Exercise
Yardley (2000) and Miles and Huberman (1994) suggest that a participant
validation exercise can enhance both credibility and sensitivity of a qualitative
research project. In line with this advice, an exercise was conducted towards the end
of the duration of the current project. Participants were given the opportunity to give
feedback on whether they considered the final model to reflect their episode of crisis
or not. A version of Chapter 9 with names and direct quotes removed was sent to all
22 participants as an attachment to an email, with questions about it directly
embedded into the email. Email was chosen as it was up to two years since some
interviews were given and the location of participants was uncertain. It was also
considered that it would get a higher response rate than a short interview as it would
be a quicker and easier process. Also, email perhaps allow an extra candour and time
for consideration than face-to-face interaction.
14 participants out of 22 gave feedback. Violet responded to say that she did
not have time to fill out the feedback as she was in the middle of her first solo art
exhibition and was extremely busy. A follow up email several weeks later elicited no
response. There was no email response at all from the remaining participants.
Questions that were in the email are listed in Appendix G. These questions
were aimed at gaining both categorical and more in-depth information on how the
participants felt about the model in relation to their own crisis. The document and
email were explicit that this was a provisional model that was open to change and
disputation. Question 1 was a question that asked for an overall appraisal of the
model in reference to their experience:
1. To what extent do you think the model works as a summary and simplified representation
of your experience of crisis?
Strongly agree ---- agree --- disagree --- strongly disagree (please delete as appropriate)
The responses to this question were positive, with 8 individuals rating Strongly Agree,
6 individuals rating Agree, and 0 participants rating disagree or strongly disagree.
Question 2 then asked whether each of the four phases of the model applied to
their experience of crisis, with a simple yes/no answer for each phase.
2. There are four phases in the model. Please say whether you think each one applies to
you.
First Phase: commitment, constriction, frustration, extrinsic motivation (Yes/No)
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