Relation to the relevant division:

The science documentary represents a special format for framing and portraying scientific knowledge. In relation to traditional news media, the science documentary is uniquely placed to offer the audience a perspective with depth, breadth and nuance. Despite this, rather little attention has been devoted to this media genre with regard to the area of mental illness.

Research question:

In what ways is the science documentary as a particular media genre represented and discussed when the research field of media portrayal of mental illness is framed and described?

Theoretical background

The meta review conducted has from a constructivist perspective attempted to investigate how the research field of media portrayal of mental illness is discussed and defined. Literature reviews present the research within a defined field, making visible different focuses and theoretical/methodological approaches and relating these to each other – the field is discursively “framed”.

Methodological approach

Narrative literature review

Analytical focus

To what extent are science documentaries stated and studied as a particular format for the presentation of issues related to mental illness?

Are there – based on the studies presented in the overviews – any crucial differences in the way of presenting mental illness? What characterizes the science documentaries as a framing for the thematic content in question?