Phyllis Noerager Stern

Using grounded theory methodology to study women's culturally based decisions about health.

A study of a culture implies a comparison with other cultures. The constant comparative processes that guide grounded theory methodology are ideal for defining cultural concepts generated through examination of the data.

Women's health and the self-care paradox: a model to guide self-care readiness.

Based on the teaching of their culture, women have reasons for their health practices. Nurses, in turn, based on the teaching of their culture of origin, with superimposed professional “scientific”; culture beliefs, have reasons for the health behaviors they think their clients should practice. We call these beliefs cultural reasoning. When they clash, culture shock occurs, possibly leading to power struggles, fencing, and withdrawal from care, or the giving of care. We describe a model consisting of four self‐care paradigms: two congruent and two noncongruent. Understanding them can help the nurse assess the clients and the nurses self‐care readiness.

Childhood Otitis Media: The Family's Endless Quest for Relief

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a common disease of childhood that has a profound influence on family life. The findings of a grounded theory study that explored family interaction when a child has OME are contained in this article. Three variables were found to influence the position of the family on a continuum of learning to manage: effects of the disease on the child, disruption to family life, and relationship with the health care system. In this discussion the authors focus on the effects on the child and family life. Comparisons are made with the effects of chronic illness on a family. The documentation of the effects of OME on family life is significant to assist health care professionals in appreciating the gravity of this often trivialized illness. Some strategies are suggested for positive health promotion in these families.

A comparison of culturally approved behaviors and beliefs between pilipina immigrant women, U.S.‐born dominant culture women, and western female nurses of the San Francisco bay area: Religiosity of health care

Data from 201 interviews and 400 hours of observation with a population consisting of Pilipino childbearing women, dominant culture women, and western nurses, all residing in the San Francisco Bay Area, indicate that all three groups base their health care on acquired beliefs. This supernatural approach to health care suggests a religiosity context that applies to all three groups studied.

The ethno-market theory: factors influencing childbearing health practices of Northern Louisiana black women.

Black women in northern Louisiana either follow the folk beliefs taught to them by elder, follow the prescriptions of the dominant health culture, or balance the advice of these two groups. We discovered that their decisions about which health system they will use are influenced by three factors: the respect‐fear process that includes the respect shown them by the professional as opposed to the fear they have of breaking traditional taboos; testing consisting of trying out new health prescriptions; and cultural interaction, that is, the amount and kind of interaction they have had with the dominant culture.

Culture shock and the working woman: Surviving west coast to northern Louisiana relocation

Women in highly specialized professions often find relocation, with its concomitant culture shock, a necessity for maximum career advancement. An insiders view of culture shock derived from participant observation data suggests that sociocultural and mechanical differences may be overcome through personal qualities of egregiousness, a portable support system, and a penchant for self‐actualization. Social interactional factors aiding the transition include neighborliness, having options, and showing respect. Unresolved culture shock may result in ghettoism or cultural identity crisis.

Teaching transcultural nursing in Louisiana from the ground up: Strategies for heightening student awareness

Because of a dearth of material in the literature regarding the process of teaching transcultural nursing, it was necessary to do an analysis of processes, or feasibility study while at the same time engaging in the process of teaching transcultural nursing. Findings from this analysis indicate that a number of strategies can be used to help nurses integrate culturally sensitive material, but that the most important of these may be experiential learning.

Women's health and the self‐care paradox: Case study and analysis

A case study analysis is used to demonstrate the theory of the self‐care paradox. This case involves a client who is also a health care professional and her experience with a high risk pregnancy. The professional caregivers and the client differed in their perception of the appropriate self‐care agency when the pregnancy became problematic. The key components of the paradox are highlighted as the actors progress through interpersonal and intraprofessional negotiations and realignments of roles. An adaptive self‐care approach then evolves. From the meta‐analysis of previous studies and the case study a predictive model for self‐care readiness is developed.