Showing papers in "Health Communication in 1998"
TL;DR: It is argued that understandings of the role of communication in health and illness can be improved substantially by enhancing both theory development and practical applications of health communication theory by recognizing and reconciling sources of variation in conceptions of uncertainty and by synthesizing various specific conceptions.
Abstract: Uncertainty is widely believed to be a central feature in illness experiences. Moreover, communication is thought to be essential to the construction, management, and resolution of uncertainty. Not surprisingly, however, there are substantial variations in conceptions and analyses of this focal construct and its relation to communication. In this article, we first argue that understandings of the role of communication in health and illness can be improved substantially-thereby enhancing both theory development and practical applications of health communication theory-by recognizing and reconciling sources of variation in conceptions of uncertainty and by synthesizing various specific conceptions. We then review individual-psychological models. linguistic and discourse analyses, and sociocultural and historical perspectives on uncertainty in illness Following the review, we present a framework that synthesizes many conceptions of uncertainty We close with a discussion of 5 challenges and opportunities for ...
292Â citations
TL;DR: Survey of children in 3rd through 8th grades indicates that children from households where one or both parents smoke perceive less anti-smoking socialization than their peers from nonsmoking households, and anti- smoking socialization is positively associated with authoritative parenting.
Abstract: Anti-smoking socialization is defined as the transmission of knowledge, attitudes, and skills that prepare children to resist smoking. Three types of anti-smoking socialization are studied: parents' communication with children regarding no-smoking rules at home, health risks associated with smoking, and the disciplinary consequences of smoking. Results from a survey of children in 3rd through 8th grades (N = 937) indicate that (a) children from households where one or both parents smoke perceive less anti-smoking socialization than their peers from nonsmoking households; (b) anti-smoking socialization is positively associated with authoritative parenting; (c) children have significantly lower rates of smoking intention and initiation when parents engage in anti-smoking socialization, even if parents currently smoke. The findings offer an encouraging message to all parents Communicating anti-smoking messages may effectively discourage children from smoking.
115Â citations
TL;DR: The purpose of this research was to develop and partially assess a self-report scale for measuring doctors' and patients' perceptions of self-communication and other communication competence during a medical interview and cluster analysis results provided support for the hypothesis.
Abstract: The purpose of this research was to develop and partially assess a self-report scale for measuring doctors' and patients' perceptions of self-communication and other communication competence during a medical interview. Previous research into the components of communication competence and medical discourse were used to develop the Medical Communication Competence Scale (MCCS). It was hypothesized that the items of the MCCS would form four clusters: information giving, information seeking, information verifying, and socioemotional communication. The cluster analysis results provided support for the hypothesis. Results of several other analyses provided additional support for the validity of the MCCS.
111Â citations
TL;DR: Demographics did better at predicting learning from traditional print media, but personal health orientations were more effective predictors of personal media; television was less well predicted by either.
Abstract: We studied from which information channels individuals reported learning the most information about preventive health care, how those channels correlated with one another, and how well they were predicted by demographics and health orientations. A probability sample of 1,963 adults from 8 midwestern communities were interviewed from late 1994 to early 1995. Respondents reported learning different amounts of preventive health information from different channels, and a mix in levels of learning was found across channels. Television news and information rated unexpectedly high across the population studied. An exploratory factor analysis indicated a clear grouping or repertoire consisting of television channels, and for magazines and newspapers, but also a distinct personal media repertoire involving a mix of health professionals, family and friends, books, educational materials, and computers. Demographics did better at predicting learning from traditional print media, but personal health orientations were ...
105Â citations
TL;DR: Results suggest that the EPPM model can be extended to an unknown risk and explored which type of risk message may motivate adaptive behavioral responses.
Abstract: The Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) was developed as a model to assist in the development of effective risk communication messages, specifically messages that elicit adaptive behavioral responses. It has shown to be effective in several settings invoking clearly delineated dangers (e.g., safety belt usage, condom usage).Unfortunately, communicating risk messages is not always so straightforward. One increasing concern in the risk communication field is the controversy over electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and the uncertain hazards they present to individuals. The purpose of this study is to test the EPPM with this unknown risk and to explore which type of risk message may motivate adaptive behavioral responses. In accordance with the EPPM model, 251 participants received either a low- or high-threat risk message and a list of control measures they could use to reduce their exposure to EMFs. Results suggest that the EPPM model can be extended to an unknown risk.
88Â citations
TL;DR: The results point the way toward elucidating the perceived optimal balance in accommodative behavior, both group based and interpersonal, in these contexts, and they highlight the importance of nurturant communication to this process.
Abstract: This study explores the role of nurturing communication in distinguishing interpersonal and intergroup interactions between health professionals and patients, from the perspective of communication accommodation theory (CAT). Participants (47 men and 87 women) rated videotapes of actual hospital consultations on 12 goal and 16 strategy items derived from CAT. Health professionals in interpersonal interactions were perceived to pay more attention to relationship and emotional needs and to use more nurturant discourse management and emotional expression. These results point the way toward elucidating the perceived optimal balance in accommodative behavior, both group based and interpersonal, in these contexts, and they highlight the importance of nurturant communication to this process.
81Â citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that nutrition behavior was influenced by susceptibility and efficacy mediated through health motivation and salience, and not age, education, or household size.
Abstract: This study proposed to identify relevant factors of the health belief model (HBM) that provide motivation for people to engage in healthy dietary behavior. The impact of a TV program was also assessed using a longitudinal study with 300 participants and measuring the influence of path coefficients in the HBM that predicted salience, motivation, and healthy eating practices. Findings suggested that nutrition behavior was influenced by susceptibility and efficacy mediated through health motivation and salience. Program viewing boosted salience regardless of age, education, or household size by significantly increasing viewers' confidence in their nutrition knowledge base.
49Â citations
TL;DR: In the specific categorical areas examined, support and nonsupport messages exhibit a relatively high degree of similarity within-participants, that is, participants appeared to use a cognitive template for classifying communication acts as supportive and nonsUpportive.
Abstract: This study presents a preliminary analysis of recalled messages for support and nonsupport received by nurses in a midsize, midwestern hospital In interviews nurses recalled specific incidents of support and nonsupport they had experienced in the workplace The structural and functional characteristics of these memorable messages of support and nonsupport were then independently coded by trained coders within the following categories: (a) the structure and form of the message, (b) the context and timing of the message, (c) the relationship between the source and receiver, and (d) the content of the message and the message effects The results of chi-square analyses and McNemar tests are presented The results suggest that in the specific categorical areas examined, support and nonsupport messages exhibit a relatively high degree of similarity within-participants That is, participants appeared to use a cognitive template for classifying communication acts as supportive and nonsupportive Specific between-participant message similarities and differences are also enumerated and explained
42Â citations
TL;DR: It is found that risk management and the medical culture do not appear to deter physicians from disclosing errors at a superficial level, but physicians maintain tight personal boundaries at the emotional level.
Abstract: Within a boundary management framework, this study explored how physicians manage self-disclosure regarding medical mistakes amidst boundary constraints imposed by risk management, legal mandate, and the medical culture. Descriptive statistics from questionnaires and exemplars from accompanying narratives showed that the 39 internists and family physicians in this study chose to control their own boundaries by revealing errors most often to other physicians to facilitate learning. Although risk management and the medical culture do not appear to deter physicians from disclosing errors at a superficial level, physicians maintain tight personal boundaries at the emotional level. Perhaps if physicians could disclose errors at the emotional level, their mental energies could be more positively channeled to patients' needs, resulting in improved patient care.
42Â citations
TL;DR: Communication between frail older people and their caregiving spouses and its relation to well-being in older care receivers suggests that certain characteristics of CGSs are related to the type of communication they use when conversing with their partner, although the relations are not always as expected.
Abstract: Examined communication between frail older people and their caregiving spouses (CGSs), and its relation to well-being in older care receivers. 53 community residing spousal dyads completed questionnaires about their well-being, relational satisfaction, and communication patterns. Conversations between the dyads were also videotaped and analyzed. The type of communication used by the CGSs was influenced by their sex, their earlier relationship with their spouse, and their level of well-being. CGSs who used an overly directive communication tone with their spouse were likely to be wives and CGSs who had a high degree of autonomy in their earlier relationship with their spouse. Low levels of life satisfaction and high affect balance in CGSs were associated with CGSs using a more patronizing tone. The well-being of care receivers was also related to their perceptions of their CGSs' communication. Care receivers who perceived their CGSs' communication as patronizing reported low levels of affect balance and high levels of conflict in the relationship. Findings suggest that certain characteristics of CGSs are related to the type of communication they use when conversing with their partner, although the relations are not always as expected.
34Â citations
TL;DR: Findings imply the need for further research on nurturing, as well as communicative training of family and caregivers of dementia patients to enhance successful communication and thus successful life experiences for these patients.
Abstract: This article presents a sociolinguistic analysis of humor as a face-saving device in a memory clinic. Data for this article were transcripts of audiotaped clinical examinations between 4 clinicians and 17 patients, conducted at the Memory and Alzheimer's Clinic at the University of California, San Francisco. The study focused on the functions of humor and the complexity involved in examining those functions. Four aspects of humor were examined: (a) who initiates humor, (b) what topics the humor is based on, (c) what the function of the humor is, and (d) who the focus of the humor is. Results indicated that dementia patients initiated a greater number of humor exchanges than did clinicians or third-party observers. In particular, patients initiated a greater number of a specific kind, called dominant humor, with which the initiator controls the interaction. In spite of the power differential between patients and clinicians, dementia patients asserted some dominance over a face-threatening situation. These ...
TL;DR: This ethnographic study ventured into the lived experiences of women in a mothers' and toddlers' playgroup as they discussed their own, their family members', and their friends' health experiences.
Abstract: This study examined the role and impact of informal, interpersonal networks in health care decision making. Questioning the traditional approach to studying health communication as it is situated within institutions (e.g., Burgoon, 1992; Nussbaum, 1989; Pettegrew & Logan, 1987), this ethnographic study ventured into the lived experiences of women in a mothers' and toddlers' playgroup as they discussed their own, their family members', and their friends' health experiences. Their conversations revolved around such health-related issues as pregnancy and delivery, physicians and hospitals, breastfeeding, illnesses and accidents, and diet and nutrition. The conversations were found to serve not necessarily opposing but distinctive functions including a rather practical purpose of "cracking the code" of institutional practices, as well as a "bonding" function evidenced through stories or narratives. The conversations are not only exchanges of information but also narratives through which shared experiences are...
TL;DR: Initial exploration into the implication of these control behaviors on patient satisfaction and compliance showed an increase in patient compliance when physicians exhibited less control assertiveness and patients showed less control submission.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to continue the application of the relational communication approach for describing physician-patient control patterns and provide initial exploration into the implication of these control behaviors on patient satisfaction and compliance. Videotaped family medicine clinical visits were analyzed with Rogers and Farace's (1975) Relational Communication Control Coding Scheme. In addition, telephone surveys were conducted with patients 2 to 3 weeks after the clinical visit to assess levels of patient satisfaction and compliance. Transactional results indicated physicians manifested more control submission, whereas patients engaged in greater control dominance. The resulting outcomes of control behaviors showed an increase in patient compliance when physicians exhibited less control assertiveness and patients showed less control submission. An increase in patient satisfaction was found when physicians showed less control dominance.
TL;DR: The research reveals that, although the state is making use of culturally tailored communication strategies, educators continue to encounter problems connecting with and involving target populations.
Abstract: Recently, rates of HIV and AIDS are rapidly and disproportionately increasing among minority communities in the rural South. Culturally specific health communication about HIV and inclusion of minority voices in the administration and implementation of HIV programs have been found to be the most effective methods for prevention. The purpose of this discussion is to examine these health communication strategies in HIV prevention programs designed for African American communities in rural Alabama. Effective, culturally sensitive, and inclusive prevention efforts documented in health communication literature are identified, and the use of these efforts through a case study of rural Alabama's minority-focused HIV prevention programs is examined The research reveals that, although the state is making use of culturally tailored communication strategies, educators continue to encounter problems connecting with and involving target populations. Reasons for these problems and recommendations for changes are discussed.
TL;DR: The findings of a qualitative study investigating the use of modal and affective tag questions by 3 Australian female general practitioners revealed that tag questions were used as both control and involvement strategies.
Abstract: Tag questions have traditionally been discussed as linguistic strategies used by nonassertive speakers. This article reports the findings of a qualitative study investigating the use of modal and affective tag questions by 3 Australian female general practitioners. Analysis of 29 audiotaped consultations revealed that tag questions were used as both control and involvement strategies. They were found to be employed by doctors for their potential to elicit information from patients, to summarize and confirm information, and to express empathy and provide positive feedback. The implications of these findings are discussed in the light of general patterns of doctor-patient communication as well as more efficient clinical interaction.
TL;DR: It was hypothesized that under high-anxiety conditions messages about health promotion behaviors would be processed more than messages about disease detection behaviors and that this effect would reverse under lower levels of anxiety.
Abstract: A study was conducted to examine the effects of anxiety on the processing of messages that encourage the performance of disease detection and health promotion behaviors. It was hypothesized that under high-anxiety conditions messages about health promotion behaviors would be processed more than messages about disease detection behaviors and that this effect would reverse under lower levels of anxiety. To test this hypothesis, the participants were required to read information designed either to increase or to decrease anxiety about health. Following the anxiety manipulation, participants received a strong or weak message promoting the performance of either health promotion or disease detection behaviors. Then participants were required to indicate their attitudes about the behavior, their cognitive responses to the message, and their recall of the message. The results support the hypothesis.
TL;DR: In this article, 4 models were tested on the relations among mentoring, job expectations, job reward value, job involvement, and organizational commitment of hospital nurses.
Abstract: In this article, 4 models were tested on the relations among mentoring, job expectations, job reward value, job involvement, and organizational commitment of hospital nurses. In the model with the best fit to the data, mentoring and job expectations were positively related to job reward value. Organizational commitment and job involvement were increased by job reward value. A direct effect on organizational commitment was found for mentor assistance in learning skills. Specific methods used by mentors to convey supportive communication to their proteges included encouraging them to do their best, helping them gain additional training, providing support and encouragement when others criticize, helping deal with jealousy, and providing proteges with needed information. Nurse mentors were admired for standing up to administration and for challenging unfair decisions, thoughtless actions, and lack of respect on the part of administrators, doctors, and patients. Nurses indicated that working hard and not having anyone notice, being frequently criticized and rarely rewarded, and being exposed to serious diseases were particularly challenging and stressful aspects of nursing. Implications of this study for nurses and those working in health care environments are that mentoring and organizational commitment may be avenues for increasing the degree to which nurses feel that their job is rewarding.
TL;DR: Drug use was related to the mental health of the persuading partner, in that current abusers and nonusers were significantly more depressed and anxious than past abusers or current users.
Abstract: This study tests and extends inconsistent nurturing as control theory (Le Poire, 1992,1995) by exploring the use of reinforcing and punishing drug discontinuance strategies based on the drug-use status of the functional/persuading partners (past abuse, current abuse, current use, and nonuse). All partners were inconsistent in their use of reinforcement and punishment of substance abuse, with past abusers punishing the substance abuse most before they labeled the drug use as problematic, and current users and nonusers punishing the substance abuse the most following the labeling and in the postfrustration period. Additionally, current abusers were the most reinforcing of alternative behavior during every time period, a strategy that was most highly related to reduction in relapse. Furthermore, nonusers utilized the most indulgence and antidrink strategies, that are in opposition based on their reinforcing and punishing natures. Past abusers were rated as most persuasively effective by their partners, whereas nonusers were evaluated as the least persuasively effective. Finally, drug use was related to the mental health of the persuading partner, in that current abusers and nonusers were significantly more depressed and anxious than past abusers or current users.
TL;DR: Responses to hypothetical statements about a high blood pressure medication showed that positive statements were more reassuring than negative statements, and responses to statements about side effects were more driven by the nature of the side effect than by its likelihood.
Abstract: Fifty older persons were interviewed about their medicines, side effects, and their responses to statements describing side effects. Participants were taking nearly 4 drugs each and knew what those medicines were and why they were taking them. Participants knew much less about the potential side effects and almost nothing about potential drug interactions. They wanted to know all the side effects, and indicated that if their doctors told them about all the side effects, they would still follow the doctors' prescription. However, fewer than 1 in 3 of their doctors were doing so. Responses to hypothetical statements about a high blood pressure medication showed that positive statements were more reassuring than negative statements. Responses to statements about side effects were more driven by the nature of the side effect than by its likelihood. Overall, participants did not find side-effect information strongly discouraging.
Journal Article•