Parallel Paradoxes and Useful Uselessness

Paul Draus, Juliette Roddy and Kanzoni Asabigi

SAGE Open, 2016, vol. 6, issue 4, 2158244016679684

Abstract: This article explores potentially productive parallels between ethnographic interviewing, mindfulness-based practices, and recovery processes. First, we consider ethnographic interviews as dialogic and affective encounters that reflect and complement the recovery process, paradoxically enhancing agency by illuminating one’s lack of control. For individuals in recovery from substance abuse and associated trauma, the ethnographic interview may provide an opportunity to examine past events and gain insight into factors that contributed to risky situations and behaviors. We propose that the dialogic space created by the ethnographic interview resembles the moment-to-moment awareness cultivated by mindfulness practices and may have individual-level benefits for similar reasons. We briefly explore the relevance of recent research on epigenetic and neural plasticity. Finally, the potential for greater awareness of these mindfulness mechanisms to enhance ethnographic interviews is discussed.

Keywords: sociological research methods; sociology; social sciences; sociological theory; sociology of health and illness; alcohol, drugs, and tobacco; sociology of mental health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:sagope:v:6:y:2016:i:4:p:2158244016679684

DOI: 10.1177/2158244016679684

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