Kandi L. Walker

An Exploratory Investigation into Dating Among Later-life Women

Much of the previous research on dating focused on the close relationships of younger adults, with little attention given to individuals dating in their later life. In addition, the opportunity for intergenerational relationships, such as friendships among members of different age cohorts and non‐typical romantic relationships have significantly increased. The purpose of this study was to describe the dating experiences among later‐life women. Fifteen women participated in in‐depth interviews that examined their communicative experiences, impressions, and struggles while dating later‐life men. Three themes emerged from this study: the need for independence, the need for companionship, and gender role conflict between dating partners. The results were also discussed in terms of the paradoxes that dating creates for later‐life women. Finally, these results are discussed in terms of the unique relational challenges facing later‐life women.

Smoking Identities and Behavior: Evidence of Discrepancies, Issues for Measurement and Intervention

Although researchers and health care practitioners tend to use standard categories to classify smokers and nonsmokers, recent research suggests that individual smokers may use a variety of self-definitions regarding their smoking behavior. The purpose of this study was to examine smoking identity and smoking behavior among college students, specifically, the relationship between self-identifying as a smoker, nonsmoker, occasional smoker, or social smoker and number of days smoked in the past month. Data were obtained during a campuswide health assessment of randomly selected full-time students (N = 741). Results indicate discrepancy between smoking identity and cigarette use. Twenty percent of students who smoked in the past 30 days self-identified as nonsmokers. Such discrepancies have implications for data collection in research as well as on questionnaires and in health care interviews. Failure to understand actual smoking behavior may increase the risk that individuals will not receive effective smoking prevention and cessation interventions.

Investigating the Physician-Patient Relationship: Examining Emerging Themes

By extending Millar and Rogers (1976) relational theory, this study examined how the physician-patient relationship was negotiated in the context of a clinical visit. Analysis of observational data obtained during the clinical visits of 1 female family practice physician revealed 5 themes central to the construction of her relationships with patients. The 5 themes included control, role negotiation, trust, health care commitment, and interrelated issues of time and money.

Feminist pedagogy in the teaching of research methods

The essay explicates a pedagogical methodology for teaching empirical research methods, employing the principles of feminist pedagogy in the facilitation of research teams composed of a teacher and multiple graduate students. The described pedagogy is consistent with six principles of feminist pedagogy deduced from a meta‐analysis of the extant US literature on feminist pedagogy: reformation of the relationship between teacher and student, empowerment, building community, privileging voice, respecting diversity of personal experience, and challenging traditional views. The authors illuminate their pedagogy via a detailed description of one feminist research group undertaking a large sample survey. The authors contend that the feminist research group constitutes a practicum‐style educational opportunity that represents a practical alternative to the traditional classroom teaching of empirical research methods to graduate students.

An Exploration of Illness-Related Narratives in Marriage: The Identification of Illness-Identity Scripts

This study describes illness-related talk in marriage. Both qualitative and quantitative methodologies were employed to identify and examine emergent themes of how couples talk about not feeling well. Fifty-three couples jointly participated in an open-ended interview and individually completed a series of questionnaires. Narrative analysis supports the notion that couples’ illness-related narratives are indicative of the couples’ relationship culture and identity. Five distinct couple types emerged from the illness-related scripts that the couples presented: the sympathetic couple, the independent couple, the mixed couple, the nonreciprocal couple, and the rejecting couple. Statistical analyses revealed several patterns of satisfaction and health perceptions that varied by sex.

Vape Shop Employees: Public Health Advocates?

INTRODUCTION E-cigarettes have increased in popularity and given rise to a new type of sales outlet—the vape shop. Expanding on work examining vape shop employee e-cigarette and tobacco attitudes and behaviors1, this study examined key messages that vape shop employees communicate to customers. METHODS Using informal interviews, observations, and a cross-sectional survey, we examined vape shop employees’ (n=16) perceptions and e-cigarette use. Data were collected in nine vape shops in Louisville, Kentucky. We used open coding to analyze the qualitative interviews, observation notes, and open-ended survey responses. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze survey data. RESULTS The findings revealed that nearly all employees were former smokers (93.8%), who now only use e-cigarettes. Over one-third of the employees (37.5%) began using e-cigarettes as a replacement for traditional cigarettes, and 93.8% reported better health (e.g., easier breathing, less coughing) since starting to use e-cigarettes. Although most employees believed e-cigarettes should be regulated, 56.3% thought regulations should be different from those governing traditional cigarettes. Analysis of qualitative data revealed that employees see themselves as health advocates who: 1) provide instructions on vaping and promote a vape community, 2) encourage cessation of traditional cigarettes, and 3) support some regulations. CONCLUSIONS The findings reveal that vape shop employees regard e-cigarettes as viable smoking cessation tools and relish their role in assisting others in taking what employees view as positive health actions. Future research addressing communication between vape shop employees and customers, especially related to smoking cessation and health, is needed.

Conflict in later‐life, long‐term marriages

This study provides insight into descriptions of how conflict was experienced by twenty‐five couples who were married 40 years or more. They participated in a face‐to‐face interview regarding their experiences with conflict in the present and their recollections of conflict earlier in their marriage. Two major findings emerged. First, these couples tended to minimize the relevance of conflict in their present stage of life. Second, they reported that present‐day conflict patterns are considerably different from how they managed conflict earlier in their marriage. Two implications of these findings are discussed: Research on communication in later life couples in general needs to acknowledge the importance of life stages, and scholars of marital communication need to question the assumption that couples maintain stable conflict patterns over time.

Clean, Cheap, Convenient: Promotion of Electronic Cigarettes on YouTube

INTRODUCTION Videos promoting electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) can be easily accessed on YouTube. Marketing claims present in YouTube videos may help shape the public’s opinion of e-cigarettes. Thus, it is important to understand the most frequent marketing claims and video sources. METHODS The objectives of this study were to 1) identify marketing claims in YouTube videos that are commonly made on e-cigarette retail websites and 2) compare the frequency of marketing claims in user-generated and professional YouTube videos. Through content analysis, this study evaluated six marketing claims and descriptive information about YouTube videos (n = 50) related to “electronic cigarettes” and “vape”. RESULTS Overall, the most frequent marketing claim promoted e-cigarette use as better than traditional tobacco use (52%). Approximately 65% of videos appeared to be user-generated and 35% were professionally-produced. Compared to user-generated videos, significantly more professional videos made claims that e-cigarettes are cleaner (p < 0.001) and cheaper (p = 0.04) than traditional cigarettes. Additionally, more professional videos had claims promoting e-cigarettes as better than traditional cigarettes because of their convenience—the user can smoke anywhere (p < 0.0001) and the products do not produce secondhand smoke (p < 0.001). The most frequent claim in user-generated videos was related to recreation (53%). CONCLUSIONS Videos on YouTube promote e-cigarettes as safer than other tobacco products. Videos appearing to be user-generated contained different marketing claims compared to professional videos. Further research is necessary to assess how the perceived source of the video impacts the ways these marketing claims shape public perception and influence use.

Undressing "health fashion": an examination of health-cause clothing and accessories.

Today, fashion items such as rubber wristbands in various colors, pink ribbons, and red dresses represent different health-related causes and can be seen frequently across demographic groups. Complete with pithy slogans (e.g., “Go Red for Women”), these items are part of a larger “health fashion” trend—one that involves wearing, using, and displaying health-cause clothing and accessories. In this article, the authors explore recent interest in “health fashion,” examining in particular its origins, effectiveness, and implications.

A picture is worth a thousand words: Electronic cigarette content on Instagram and Pinterest

INTRODUCTION This study examined electronic cigarette (e-cig) content in visual materials posted on the social-media platforms Instagram and Pinterest. Both platforms allow users to upload pictures to the internet and share them globally. Users can search for pictures tagged with specific keywords and phrases. METHODS Using content analysis, this study identified themes in image postings of e-cigs on social media. During five weeks of data collection, keywords were used to identify pictures related to e-cigs. These pictures were then coded into one or more categories. RESULTS The three most popular categories for Instagram posts were marketing, customization and juices/flavors. The three most popular categories for Pinterest posts were customization, marketing and memes. CONCLUSIONS Because of the persuasive power of visuals, it is important to examine communication on Instagram and Pinterest as well as the specific visual messages communicated. Stores and manufacturers use these and similar platforms to communicate with users and potential users; thus it seems that marketers are capitalizing on opportunities for persuasive appeal. The results highlight the popularity of e-cig content on these two social media platforms and reveal an emphasis on marketing and customization.