Developing personal sense of risk: a grounded theory in men with hypertension.

BACKGROUND: For older men with hypertension living in rural areas, non-adherence to treatment is a common phenomenon. The experience on risk perception of individuals with their condition is recognized as playing a critical role in promoting treatment adherence. However, the experience on risk perception in a cohort of older men with hypertension seems unclear. AIM: To develop a theory concerning risk perception experience in a cohort of older men with hypertension from a rural area of Thailand. METHODS: A grounded theory approach was used. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with 29 hypertensive older men were conducted in Thailand using purposive and theoretical sampling methods. The grounded theory analytical method that included initial and focused coding, and constant comparison was used to analyse the data. FINDINGS: 'Developing a personal sense of risk' emerged as a core category, which incorporated the related four subprocesses: comparing healthcare provider information with stories of people with hypertension, comparing one's own situation with stories of people with hypertension, changing personal sense of risk and changing risk-related behaviour. Older men selected to focus on one particular outcome, using the selected outcome to monitor their risk. CONCLUSION: This investigation provides a theory for healthcare providers to understand older men's perceptions of personal risk for complications of hypertension. A personal sense of risk influences risk-related behaviour change. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY: The findings can be used in assessing a personal sense of risk and promoting treatment adherence in older men with hypertension. Effective storytelling intervention, a standard tool for assessment personal sense of risk in older men with hypertension, should be developed. Hypertension care policy needs to be developed for individualized approaches.

Growing into teen fatherhood: a grounded theory study.

BACKGROUND: Becoming an adolescent father is a significant and critical life event. Expectant fathers are faced with a concurrent dual developmental crisis: being an adolescent and becoming a father. This transition has a tremendous impact on these adolescents, their families and society. The impact on these individuals and society does not, at this point, seem to be clearly understood. PURPOSE: To explore the process of Thai adolescents becoming first-time fathers with an unplanned pregnancy during their girlfriend's pregnancy. METHODS: A grounded theory approach was used, drawing upon semi-structured interviews with 16 expectant fathers in Chiang Mai, Thailand. FINDINGS: 'Growing into teen fatherhood' was the basic social process that emerged as the core category. These fathers used this process for developing themselves to fatherhood. This process was further divided into three phases: enduring the conflict of future role, accepting impending fatherhood and developing a sense of being teen expectant father. Throughout this process, the participants encountered many conflicts and challenges. They employed various strategies to manage the emotional, financial and interpersonal challenges they faced during the transition to fatherhood. CONCLUSION: This study provides data as well as anecdotal evidence for healthcare professionals to better understand adolescent fathers and their unique challenges during their girlfriend's pregnancy. A better understanding of these rich findings will enable healthcare professionals to assist young men and boys in their struggle to transition to fatherhood. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING POLICY: Our data may guide policymakers in developing support groups, effective mentoring programs and national follow-up services as standard services in hospitals' care for first-time adolescent fathers in Thailand.