RESUMO
(1) Background: In recent years, a growing number of qualitative health research studies have performed discourse analysis of data from participants' narratives. However, little attention has been paid to the gaps and silences within these narratives. The aim of the present study is to interpret the silences detected in the discourse of pregnant and breastfeeding women concerning environmental risks and food safety. (2) Methods: This descriptive, interpretive, observational study was conducted according to a qualitative research paradigm and from a phenomenological and ethnographic perspective. The study sample was composed of 88 intentionally selected women, among whom fifty interviews, three ethnographies and five focus groups were conducted. Data coding and analysis were performed using N-Vivo 12 software. (3) Results: The results obtained show that the women's discourse presented silences that reflected their minimisation of perceived environmental and food risks. However, these women were wary of food produced in the proximity of contaminated areas. Nevertheless, the participants believed they were powerless to overcome environmental pollution and the potential contamination of their own bodies. (4) Conclusions: The participants' minimisation of the environmental risks faced and their inaction in this respect are sustained by the biopolitical practices of public institutions, which have propelled these women into a situation of learned helplessness and social injustice.
Assuntos
Aleitamento Materno , Inocuidade dos Alimentos , Feminino , Grupos Focais , Humanos , Gravidez , Pesquisa Qualitativa , EspanhaRESUMO
This article aims to break with two social stereotypes often held about Latinas in Spain. Authors analyze Latinas' main strengths from a resilient and intersectional approach, to consider them holistically within social work interventions. Rather than focusing on Latinas' difficulties, authors point to their multiple strengths and the ability to move forward. The study took place in the province of Tarragona, Catalonia (Spain). A qualitative approach was used. Participants included Latinas living in Tarragona and social workers from the Tarragona social services. The techniques used were nine life stories and 59 semi-open questionnaires with Latinas, and 14 interviews with social workers. The authors identified a fighting attitude and an entrepreneurial and creative spirit as both individual and collective strengths, especially within Latinas' social networks. Latinas did not recognize themselves as victims, nor did they claim to assume that identity. The social workers' interventions are implemented in a weak welfare system based on a model characterized by a paternalistic and victim-based viewpoint. Adopting approaches such as intersectionality and resilience would allow for the creation of fairer policies, programs, and projects targeted for Latinas, not just in Spain, but in other countries, too.
Assuntos
Hispânico ou Latino , Serviço Social , Atitude , Humanos , Espanha , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
A significant proportion of scientific studies consider pregnant and breastfeeding women as vulnerable subjects. The objective of this study was to analyse the perception of pregnant and breastfeeding women regarding their participation in environmental research studies. Our work is a descriptive and interpretative observational study that has been developed under the qualitative research paradigm following a phenomenological and ethnographic perspective. The study involved 173 women selected intentionally in two Spanish autonomous communities. To obtain the primary data, we relied upon 111 interviews, four focused ethnographies and eight focus groups. The data encoding and analysis was carried out with the help of NVivo 12 software (QSR International, Boston, MA, USA). We evidenced the need of pregnant and breastfeeding women for more detailed and accurate information on the risk of environmental pollutant exposure during their crucial life stage. In addition, these women claimed for a more participatory role in research studies. Pregnant and breastfeeding women in Spain ask for greater interaction with researchers and propose a dialogical relationship between valid partners. We conclude that our pregnant and breastfeeding women claim more research focused on their collective, as well as clearer, more accessible and structured information on the risks of exposure to environmental contaminants. In addition, they do not want to simply be informants; rather, they ask to be active and empowered members by providing their opinions and arguments throughout the research process.
Assuntos
Aleitamento Materno , Percepção , Boston , Feminino , Humanos , Gravidez , Gestantes , Pesquisa Qualitativa , EspanhaRESUMO
The objective of this study was to explore what motivates pregnant and breastfeeding women to make changes in their diet, specifically to examine how their perceptions regarding diet facilitate or act as obstacles to introducing healthy eating habits. For the optimal development of the mother, the fetus, or breastfeeding baby, it is important to avoid foods containing substances, such as persistent toxic substances (PTSs), that are harmful to health during pregnancy and after the baby's birth. This study used a qualitative research methodology, based on semi-structured individual interviews, food diaries, free lists, and focus groups with 111 pregnant and breastfeeding women in Spain. This approach was followed by a systematic and exhaustive exploitation of the qualitative data obtained, following the methodological principles of grounded theory. From the study results, we conclude that the motivation for a change in diet to avoid PTSs is based on the desire to promote good health, beliefs about the importance of having a varied diet, and the avoidance of potential risks. The main obstacles to change can be attributed to inadequate information, contradictory discourses, and socioeconomic difficulties.
Assuntos
Aleitamento Materno , Dieta Saudável , Motivação , Gestantes , Aleitamento Materno/psicologia , Criança , Registros de Dieta , Dieta Saudável/psicologia , Feminino , Contaminação de Alimentos/prevenção & controle , Substâncias Perigosas , Humanos , Entrevistas como Assunto , Gravidez , Gestantes/psicologia , Pesquisa Qualitativa , EspanhaRESUMO
RESUMEN En este artículo se describen y analizan las percepciones sociales sobre el riesgo alimentario en Cataluña (España), que inciden en qué alimentos son percibidos como peligrosos, pero también en cómo, cuándo, dónde, por qué y de qué manera se concibe este riesgo a partir de las narrativas de los informantes. A través de un estudio cualitativo, se ha explorado cómo se construyen y gestionan los discursos legos, que conforman imaginarios diversos sobre el riesgo alimentario que no siempre coinciden con la mirada biomédica. Se señala que el riesgo sobre los alimentos no siempre se asocia a los peligros del progreso o la industrialización, ni se centra necesariamente en el debate dicotómico “alimento industrializado” versus “alimento natural”, sino en un conjunto de posibilidades que tienen que ver también con el contexto de su producción, distribución, preparación y/o consumo.
ABSTRACT This article describes and analyzes social perceptions regarding food risks in Catalonia (Spain). In particular it uses the narratives of informants to determine which foods are perceived as dangerous and how, when, where and why this perception of risk develops. Through a qualitative research study, we explored how lay discourses are constructed and managed, creating diverse imaginaries regarding food risk that do not always coincide with the biomedical view. It is highlighted that food risk is not always associated with the dangers of progress or industrialization, nor is it necessarily focused on the dichotomous debate of “industrially produced food” versus “natural food”; rather food risk perceptions revolve around a series of possibilities that are also related to the production, distribution, preparation and/or consumption of food.
Assuntos
Humanos , Percepção , Risco , Alimentos , Espanha , Pesquisa QualitativaRESUMO
This article describes and analyzes social perceptions regarding food risks in Catalonia (Spain). In particular it uses the narratives of informants to determine which foods are perceived as dangerous and how, when, where and why this perception of risk develops. Through a qualitative research study, we explored how lay discourses are constructed and managed, creating diverse imaginaries regarding food risk that do not always coincide with the biomedical view. It is highlighted that food risk is not always associated with the dangers of progress or industrialization, nor is it necessarily focused on the dichotomous debate of "industrially produced food" versus "natural food"; rather food risk perceptions revolve around a series of possibilities that are also related to the production, distribution, preparation and/or consumption of food.