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(1 - 7 of 7)
- Title
- THE ROLE OF THE INTERNET AS A TOOL TO AID IN U.S. ADULT CONSUMERS' WEIGHT LOSS.
- Creator
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Kirby, Jaclyn, Matusitz, Jonathan, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This thesis focuses on ways the Internet can positively influence and educate U.S. Americans to become healthier and eventually lose weight. Throughout the past 30 years, the percentage of overweight and obese adults in the U.S. has increased immensely, resulting in a nationwide epidemic (American Association for Public Opinion Research, 2006; Center for Disease Control, 2006; Goodman, 2005; The Obesity Society, 2008). The research question for this thesis is the following: What are the...
Show moreThis thesis focuses on ways the Internet can positively influence and educate U.S. Americans to become healthier and eventually lose weight. Throughout the past 30 years, the percentage of overweight and obese adults in the U.S. has increased immensely, resulting in a nationwide epidemic (American Association for Public Opinion Research, 2006; Center for Disease Control, 2006; Goodman, 2005; The Obesity Society, 2008). The research question for this thesis is the following: What are the perceptions of U.S. adult consumers regarding the positive influence the Internet has on weight loss? In order to determine the influence of the Internet on U.S. adults, a qualitative method of interviewing was conducted with fifteen U.S. adults. Upon completion of listening to the audiotapes and transcribing the health narratives, six key themes emerged as the most relevant to the author's research question: (1) Weight Loss Support Rooted in Social Networking, (2) Internet as an Exercise Motivator, (3) Lack of Trust in Internet Sources for Health Information, (4) Meaningfulness of Health Seeking, (5) Internet as a Teaching Tool, and (6) Uses and Gratifications of Online Health Seeking. Overall, based on this small sample, the researcher concluded that U.S. adults have often turned to the Internet as an aid in their weight loss journey. U.S. adults have a positive perception of the Internet and feel that most adults would benefit from using it to find health information.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002567, ucf:48262
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002567
- Title
- Examining Gender in Pharmaceutical Rhetoric Through a Cultural Studies Lens: A Case Study on the Gardasil Vaccine.
- Creator
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Fickley, Jennifer, Bowdon, Melody, Scott, John, Bell, Kathleen, Delorme, Denise, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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On June 8, 2006, Merck announced the debut of Gardasil, the world's first vaccine found successful in preventing human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, a sexually transmitted infection that is one of the main causes of certain cancers in men and women, including cervical, vulvar, penile and anal cancers. To promote the vaccine's release, Merck launched Gardasil's (")One Less(") advertising campaign that included television commercials, print ads and a consumer-focused website (www.Gardasil...
Show moreOn June 8, 2006, Merck announced the debut of Gardasil, the world's first vaccine found successful in preventing human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, a sexually transmitted infection that is one of the main causes of certain cancers in men and women, including cervical, vulvar, penile and anal cancers. To promote the vaccine's release, Merck launched Gardasil's (")One Less(") advertising campaign that included television commercials, print ads and a consumer-focused website (www.Gardasil.com), each promoting the message that (")you(") could now be (")one less woman(") affected by cervical cancer ((")One Less(") campaign). The vaccine, tested and approved only for females age 9-26, was advertised to this age group, as well as parents or guardians responsible for making medical decisions for female minors. As the campaign launched, commercials depicted females laughing and enjoying hobbies while mentioning the positive decision they made to receive the Gardasil vaccine. Many commercials also included portrayals of mothers talking happily about their decision to get their young daughters vaccinated. Interestingly, male figures were completely left out of Gardasil's (")One Less(") campaign ads, despite the fact that in reality, males administer the vaccine as medical professionals, transmit the infection as sexual partners, and suffer cancers as HPV-infected patients. Males were even left out of the ads as parents, who were always portrayed by women in the ad campaign. Informed consumers may have expected all this to change on Oct. 16, 2009 (-) three years after Gardasil's debut (-) when the Food (&) Drug Administration (FDA) approved the vaccine for use in males age 9-26 to protect against HPV-caused genital warts. Though Merck's vaccine was now accessible to more consumers than ever, the advertising that surrounded this medical breakthrough changed very little. Television commercials for the vaccine still promoted Gardasil primarily to women for the purpose of preventing HPV-related cervical cancer. Again, men were not featured in commercials as medical professionals, parents, guardians, romantic partners, or even as patients able to get the vaccine. Males did begin appearing on the vaccine's official website, however these depictions were limited to showing only young boys, who appeared standing with a mother's protective arm around them. Males that represent the older age range (up to age 26) were never shown. What effect does the lack of male representation have on the verbal and nonverbal message these ads are sending consumers about who fits in the target consumer group, as well as who is at risk for an HPV infection? On a broader level, how does gender representation as a whole affect pharmaceutical advertisements and the adoption of the potentially life-saving products they promote? How does a pharmaceutical technology become (")gendered(")? How do specific gender portrayals impact the educational aspects of pharmaceutical ads, which may shape a consumer's opinion of who is at risk for an illness, and who is responsible for its treatment or prevention? And how do these gender portrayals connect with, reflect or reinforce dominant cultural beliefs about the roles males and females play in protecting themselves and others from disease? In this study, I investigate these questions using a blended cultural studies/social sciences research perspective, first looking at the controversial history of direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising and the gender stereotypes that traditionally exist in this form of rhetoric. I then test the affect Merck's gender portrayals has on its ad message in a blind study done with a small sample population, which provides evidence that Merck's ads are confusing and exclusive of certain populations, particularly men. I then investigate how Merck's existing gender portrayals, and strong focus on women, reflect larger historical beliefs on the roles that males and females play in health care and in the family. I show how, through advertising, Gardasil has become (")gendered(") as a pharmaceutical technology for female children. From here, I will show how pharmaceutical companies, such as Merck, have both reflected and reinforced the belief that women are the primary caregivers to children, how this stereotype is both damaging and statistically incorrect, and how using it targets Gardasil ads to a very narrow population of consumers, miscommunicating the message of who is at risk for illness contraction and perhaps even damaging sales in addition to prevention. I later provide evidence that Merck's current Gardasil ad series and other actions in the marketplace are dangerously misleading certain populations regarding the nature of the HPV virus, the protective abilities of the vaccine, and the populations responsible for accessing Gardasil. I then provide the argument that gendering Gardasil as a (")women's technology(") is done intentionally by Merck, which has a history of making profits a priority over responsibly treating patient health. I conclude by providing detailed suggestions on how Merck can augment their current ad series to de-gender Gardasil to become more medically responsible, and break out of the cycle of portraying men and women using damaging and outdated stereotypes. Instead, my suggestions for changes to Gardasil's advertising approach would make the vaccine's messages appeal to all audiences at risk.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004304, ucf:49486
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004304
- Title
- MINORITY PHYSICIAN JOB SATISFACTION: AN ANALYSIS OF EXTRINSICALLY-CONTROLLED ORGANIZATIONAL FACTORS.
- Creator
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Fletcher, Shaun, Barfield II, Rufus, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Few organizational communication studies examine the organizational aspects influencing career satisfaction specifically among non-white cultures in the medical physician population. This study examines minority physicians' perceptions of extrinsically controlled work environment factors in comparison to their white counterparts. Three research questions were analyzed from a 17-question survey tool to measure: physician satisfaction levels with autonomy over medical decision-making; autonomy...
Show moreFew organizational communication studies examine the organizational aspects influencing career satisfaction specifically among non-white cultures in the medical physician population. This study examines minority physicians' perceptions of extrinsically controlled work environment factors in comparison to their white counterparts. Three research questions were analyzed from a 17-question survey tool to measure: physician satisfaction levels with autonomy over medical decision-making; autonomy over non-medical workplace decisions; and hospital cost containment efforts. These organizational variables have served as major points of discourse within the healthcare arena and they relate to the enigmatic nature of career satisfaction. Determined by the volume of respondents representing each race and ethnicity, five categories were selected for comparison: Asian/Pacific Islander, Indian/Pakistani, White/Non-Hispanic, Hispanic, and Black/African American. Participants that were surveyed included all physicians listed on the medical staff roster of a Southeastern, not-for-profit hospital group, regardless of status and medical specialty. The primary findings indicate that substantial variance exists among racial and ethnic subgroups regarding satisfaction with the dependent measures. Due to low numbers of minority health care physicians, previous studies have commonly measured physician job satisfaction aggregately, failing to differentiate cultural groups. Interestingly, when minority and non-minority groups were aggregately juxtaposed, no significant differences were reported in the data. However, when satisfaction was measured contrasting minority subgroupings with that of non-minority physicians, significant variations emerged from the data set. This study contributes to understanding better the organizational experiences of minority physicians in healthcare and the body of knowledge concerning minority health research as a whole.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- Identifier
- CFE0000502, ucf:46454
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000502
- Title
- Help me be healthy: Perceptions of social support in an online weight loss program.
- Creator
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Davies, Brittany, Sandoval, Jennifer, Neuberger, Lindsay, Hastings, Sally, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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As technology changes, so do the ways in which we receive information, provide information and interact with one another. The exchange of social support is increasingly mediated by technology in the realm of health, nutrition, and fitness (Dahl, et al 2015; Wright et al 2011). Commercial weight loss and healthy lifestyle initiatives such as the Beachbody programs incorporate social media and web applications to reach a broader consumer base with individualized programming options. The present...
Show moreAs technology changes, so do the ways in which we receive information, provide information and interact with one another. The exchange of social support is increasingly mediated by technology in the realm of health, nutrition, and fitness (Dahl, et al 2015; Wright et al 2011). Commercial weight loss and healthy lifestyle initiatives such as the Beachbody programs incorporate social media and web applications to reach a broader consumer base with individualized programming options. The present study, guided by optimal matching theory and the helper theory principle, employed online participant-observation and in-depth, semi-structured interviews with Beachbody coaches and participants to investigate how these individuals perceived social support to be enacted in these programs as well as the perceived benefits and challenges of participating in these online groups. The interview transcripts were coded using thematic analysis to identify significant topics based on Owen's (1984) process of identifying recurrence, repetition, and forcefulness. Major benefits for participants included accountability, around the clock access to feedback, and access to a wide range of information. Noted challenges included the lack of personal connection and a need to maintain face-to-face relationships, difficulty sustaining motivation, and financial concerns. Cultivating a genuine feeling of community to facilitate open discussion and sharing was often inconsistent and a challenge to maintain throughout the duration of the program. This study aims to expand our understanding of social support in the context of online fitness and nutrition programs with potential to guide further research in technology-mediated support and how it may affect health. By broadening our understanding of the benefits of online support and how individuals have overcome its challenges in this context, it may help provide direction for the development of future research and similar online health initiatives.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007567, ucf:52574
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007567
- Title
- Preschool Attendance: A Parental and Teacher Perspective of Barriers, Health Behaviors and Practices using Grounded Theory Research.
- Creator
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Meoli, Anne, Chase, Susan, Anderson, Mindi, Quelly, Susan, Wink, Diane, Sheinberg, Nurit, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Background: Preschool children from single-parent households with lower socioeconomic status (SES) are absent from preschool at rates higher than any other group. Some children are chronically absent, missing more than 10% of the school year. The phenomenon of preschool attendance related to behaviors, practices, and parental decision making associated with health and illness in lower SES households has not been previously studied using grounded theory methodology.Aim: The purpose of this...
Show moreBackground: Preschool children from single-parent households with lower socioeconomic status (SES) are absent from preschool at rates higher than any other group. Some children are chronically absent, missing more than 10% of the school year. The phenomenon of preschool attendance related to behaviors, practices, and parental decision making associated with health and illness in lower SES households has not been previously studied using grounded theory methodology.Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore decision making related to supporting attendance in a preschool of 67 children (aged 3 to 4 years) with primarily low-income, single parents and preschool teachers in South Florida. The decision making process parents and teachers face every day and the environmental supports of preschool attendance facilitated identification of factors encouraging or impeding attendance.Results and Recommendations: Focus groups and interviews with teachers, parents and administrators were conducted, and direct observation of the school attendance process and health/attendance policies were examined. Data analysis was concurrent with data collection to allow for theoretical sampling. The data analysis revealed an underlying process of (")communicating about health: benefitting children's attendance in a preschool environment.(") Supporting this theory were three themes of (a) empowerment: actions to support health, (b) trusting judgment regarding health, and (c) commitment of organization and parents to health and attendance. Recommendations for implementation of practice, policy changes, and opportunities for future research found in this unique setting were discussed to improve attendance.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006143, ucf:51186
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006143
- Title
- NARRATIVE BASED FEAR APPEALS: MANIPULATING GRAMMATICAL PERSON AND MESSAGE FRAME TO PROMOTE HPV AWARENESS AND RESPONSIBLE SEXUAL CONDUCT.
- Creator
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Spear, Jennifer, Miller, Ann, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The utility of narrative as a persuasive mechanism has been increasingly investigated in recent years especially within the context of health behaviors. Although many studies have noted the effectiveness of narrative-based persuasive appeals, conceptual inconsistencies have made it difficult to determine what specific aspects of narrative messages lead to the most effective persuasive outcomes. In the present study, 145 female college students were randomly assigned to read one of four...
Show moreThe utility of narrative as a persuasive mechanism has been increasingly investigated in recent years especially within the context of health behaviors. Although many studies have noted the effectiveness of narrative-based persuasive appeals, conceptual inconsistencies have made it difficult to determine what specific aspects of narrative messages lead to the most effective persuasive outcomes. In the present study, 145 female college students were randomly assigned to read one of four narrative health messages about a female freshman college students experiences with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Two elements of the narrative message structure were manipulated: the message frame (gain framed vs. loss framed), and the grammatical person of the text (first-person vs. third-person).The messages were presented via the medium of an online blog. After reading a narrative participants responded to a brief questionnaire designed to measure perceptions of threat regarding HPV contraction, perceptions of efficacy regarding HPV prevention, and intentions to get the Gardasil vaccine. Participants exposed to loss framed messages reported higher levels of perceived threat (susceptibility and severity) than participants exposed to gain framed messages although participants in the gain framed message conditions reported higher levels of perceived self-efficacy. Significant correlations were also found between levels of reported character identification and the two threat variables. No effects were found for grammatical person.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0003997, ucf:48673
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003997
- Title
- CLAIMS OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY:AN EXAMINATION OF U.S. TELEVISION FOOD COMMERCIALS AND THE ADULT OBESITY ISSUE.
- Creator
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Delgado, Cristina, DeLorme, Denise, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Obesity is one of the major public health issues in the United States, often regarded as part of a global crisis. Companies invest billions of dollars each year towards television advertising campaigns aimed at convincing audiences how their ground-breaking discovery 'battles the bulge' or somehow offers an increased health benefit. This study examined how advertisers presented health-related claims, including health and nutrient-content claims, in U.S. adult-targeted television food...
Show moreObesity is one of the major public health issues in the United States, often regarded as part of a global crisis. Companies invest billions of dollars each year towards television advertising campaigns aimed at convincing audiences how their ground-breaking discovery 'battles the bulge' or somehow offers an increased health benefit. This study examined how advertisers presented health-related claims, including health and nutrient-content claims, in U.S. adult-targeted television food commercials. The claims were compared to FTC, FDA, and USDA laws, regulations, and recommendations. A content analysis of food advertising was conducted of commercials from major and cable network programs broadcast during prime-time in the first quarter of 2009. The majority of claims match current regulations when compared to Federal references. The results show that Nutrient and Wellness claims were the most frequently cited. The type of benefit, Healthy Eating, emerged almost 3 times more than any other benefit type. This is also similar to those results which suggest advertisers' intentions were to promote overall wellness in their content delivery. As such, the Wellness Approach was identified and conceptualized, leading towards full development of a Wellness Effect theory. Implications and future research opportunities are discussed on both a theoretical and practical level.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002565, ucf:48260
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002565
