Engaging young women with skin cancer prevention; unexpected learning from a grounded theory study.
Authors: Norton, E.
Editors: Graffigna, G., Morse, J. and Claudio Bosio, A.
Conference: 2nd Global Congress for Qualitative Health Research. Engaging People in Health Promotion and Well-being
Dates: 28-30 June 2012
Journal: Proceedings of the 2nd Global Conference for Qualitative Health Research
Pages: 129
Publisher: Vita e Pensiero
Place of Publication: Milan
Abstract:In this paper I discuss how a qualitative research process involving female adolescents unexpectedly provided insight into what may ‘work’ when health professionals seek to engage young women in health promotion. An unintended and surprising outcome of using semi-structured interviewing during a qualitative grounded theory study was evidence to support health promotion concepts including empowerment, media literacy and partnership working. Exploration of the reasons behind the sun-related behaviours of the young women in the study apparently raised their consciousness of the factors affecting them. For example they realised the influence of media, peers and celebrities and it seems that I was inadvertently involving the participants as co-constructors of their health through the research process. On reflection it seems that simply talking with, and listening to, the participants in the exploratory, non-judgemental and respectful way afforded by qualitative methodology and method, facilitated their engagement with the health issue of sun exposure. It seems that participants began to comprehend the broader contextual issues that could impact on them and this has implications if they are to resist cultural norms that impinge on their health
Source: Manual
Preferred by: Liz Norton