My program of research focuses on personal health appraisal and action taken in response to health appraisal. By that I mean, how do individuals self-evaluate their health, what actions do individuals take to maintain or protect their health, and what are the underlying values, beliefs and knowledge.
I am particularly interested in chronic conditions when individuals rely on self-management to appraise and respond to everyday symptoms, like breathing intensity and pain. My program of research is intended to contribute to the science of self-management. Individuals who can evaluate their own health are more likely to self-advocate, use the health care system knowledgeably, and partner with health care providers on a mutual basis.
I am curious as to how written or spoken natural language related to health appraisal and action may be a rich and readily accessible data source that could inform nurses for coaching and guiding self-management. Several years ago I began analyzing natural language using content analysis methods. I have also used a computerized content analysis, that is a linguistic software program developed by Pennebaker and colleagues. Their research has demonstrated that the words people use in their daily lives can reveal important aspects about their mental, social and physical state.
Recently, I have broadened my analysis to include ethnographic methodology in the interest of deepening understanding of an individual’s own or emic perspective. The emic perspective is expressed in the natural language individuals use to name, categorize and otherwise process a symptom, as well as reach decisions about how to respond. Without understanding the emic view, clinicians lack important information. Consequently, the likelihood of misunderstanding, misjudging and miscommunicating is high.
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