ABSTRACT
Objectives: The goal of this qualitative research study was to better understand of how the mother-daughter relationship shaped by different ecologies in a Muslim community in the United States (US) influences their daughters' health behaviors. Methods: Using a criterion sampling strategy, 11 immigrant Muslim mothers and their American Muslim adolescent daughters aged 12-18 years who were born and also raised in the US were recruited (N=22) and interviewed. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed following phenomenological research methods. Results: Mothers in this sample explained that to share their health values with their daughters, they needed to be close, supportive, open-minded, and good listeners to them. The results revealed that daughters who perceived that their mothers' values were shaped by 3 factors - religion, culture of origin, and acculturation were more likely to follow healthy behaviors. Conclusion: The findings and the conceptual model will help explain how these maternal factors can work together to shape American Muslim adolescent daughters' health behaviors.
Subject(s)
Health Behavior , Islam , Mother-Child Relations , Adolescent , Emigrants and Immigrants , Female , Humans , Mothers , Nuclear Family , Perception , United StatesABSTRACT
Globally more women have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and are more likely to be stigmatized than men, especially in male-dominant societies. Gender differences in the experience of HIV-related stigma, however, have not been extensively explored. Researchers investigate the gender differences in HIV/AIDS-related stigma experiences here. Interviews were conducted with eight HIV patients and their nine discordant family members in Ghana. Our findings include gender differences in disclosure and response to HIV/AIDS diagnosis. The negative impact of HIV-related stigma was found to be more extensive for women than for men. Our findings may be used to facilitate an awareness and understanding through which supportive interventions can be implemented.
Subject(s)
HIV Infections/psychology , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Social Stigma , Stereotyping , Educational Status , Family , Female , Ghana , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Mass Screening , Qualitative Research , Sex CharacteristicsABSTRACT
Despite the apparent ease and regularity with which adults label individuals and groups as "the enemy," little is known regarding how children understand this concept. The current qualitative study examined the concept of enemy as understood by 105 3- to 12-yr.-old children from two sides of an international conflict--Yugoslavia and the United States. This article provides an analysis of the children's answers during a structured interview regarding their understanding of enemies, specifically the perceptions of children in a war zone and the perceptions of children living in relative safety. Children of all ages could discuss the concept of enemy. They described both interpersonal and group conflict. A common theme in both Yugoslavian and U.S. children's descriptions was that an enemy is someone who is bad or does bad things. The children recognized the importance of at least two "sides" and discussed reciprocal or mutual feelings. In general, the children showed great optimism that one's enemies can become one's friends. These findings are interpreted in terms of developmental issues and sociopolitical context.
