ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To describe Mexican American mothers' and youths' explanatory models of promoting health and preventing diabetes in 12-14 year olds. DESIGN AND METHODS: In this descriptive study, interviews produced mothers' (n= 21) and adolescents' (n= 20) explanatory models. RESULTS: Mothers' and youths' views of causes of diabetes were mostly concordant with the biomedical model. They saw shared responsibility for health promotion and prevention. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Mothers and youths want help to promote health and prevent diabetes. Providers can apply explanatory models in interventions.
Subject(s)
Attitude to Health/ethnology , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/prevention & control , Mexican Americans/ethnology , Models, Psychological , Mothers/psychology , Psychology, Adolescent , Adolescent , Adult , Causality , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/ethnology , Female , Focus Groups , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Health Promotion , Humans , Male , Mexican Americans/education , Middle Aged , Mothers/education , Nursing Methodology Research , Qualitative Research , Self Care/methods , Self Care/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires , TexasABSTRACT
Various populations experience health disparities related to risk factors such as gender, race or ethnicity, educational level, income level, and geographic location. These populations often experience barriers to access and utilization of services, which can lead to adverse health outcomes. Health promotion interventions developed within the context of communities represent resources that may offer protection to these populations. The purpose of this article is to describe the evolution of a conceptual model for the study of health disparities. The model, based on a review of literature, was developed to guide 19 pilot studies funded by the Texas-New Mexico P20 Southwest Partnership Center for Nursing Research on Health Disparities. Reflection on these studies, their respective methodologies, and findings resulted in a revised model to guide further studies of communities experiencing health disparities.