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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Jeannine Coreil, PhD, Jaime Wilke, MPH, and Jaime Wilke, MPH. School of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612
Research on breast cancer support groups has emphasized psychosocial and medical outcomes, with little attention to group culture or determinants of participation. This paper reports findings from a narrative study of breast cancer support group experiences. Cultural themes are identified through a textual analysis of interviews and observations conducted among three different breast cancer support groups in Tampa, Florida. A goal of the study is to measure consensus among group members regarding cultural models of the illness and the recovery process. The qualitative phase of the research used in-depth interviews with 22 support group members, and participant observation at 10 support group meetings. Interview transcripts and field notes were analyzed for recurrent themes, metaphors, and meanings assigned to experiences. Results are organized into dominant themes reflected in narrative stories and meeting content, illustrated through excerpts of dialog and descriptions of events. Examples of core themes and metaphors include membership as a "sisterhood," recovery as "empowerment," the "real story" contrasted with the medical model, and contrasting views on "positive thinking." Implications of the findings are discussed in terms of the value of an organizational culture approach to support groups, as a promising perspective for understanding member enculturation and retention.
Learning Objectives: Attendees will be able to
Keywords: Breast Cancer Programs, Culture
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.