A Cultural Models Approach to Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment

TY - JOUR

T1 - A Cultural Models Approach to Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment

AU - Otmar, R.

AU - Reventlow, S.

AU - Morrow, M.

AU - Nicholson, G.C.

AU - Kotowicz, M.A.

AU - Pasco, J.A.

PY - 2012/10

Y1 - 2012/10

N2 - This article identifies cultural models of osteoporosis, as shared by community-dwelling older women in southeastern Australia, and compares these with cultural knowledge conveyed through social marketing. Cultural models are mental constructs about specific domains in everyday life, such as health and illness, which are shared within a community. We applied domain analyses to data obtained from in-depth interviews and stakeholder-identified print materials. The response domains identified from our case studies made up the shared cultural model "Osteoporosis has low salience," particularly when ranked against other threats to health. The cultural knowledge reflected in the print materials supported a cultural model of low salience. Cultural cues embedded in social marketing messages on osteoporosis may be internalized and motivating in unintended ways. Identifying and understanding cultural models of osteoporosis within a community may provide valuable insights to inform the development of targeted health messages.

AB - This article identifies cultural models of osteoporosis, as shared by community-dwelling older women in southeastern Australia, and compares these with cultural knowledge conveyed through social marketing. Cultural models are mental constructs about specific domains in everyday life, such as health and illness, which are shared within a community. We applied domain analyses to data obtained from in-depth interviews and stakeholder-identified print materials. The response domains identified from our case studies made up the shared cultural model "Osteoporosis has low salience," particularly when ranked against other threats to health. The cultural knowledge reflected in the print materials supported a cultural model of low salience. Cultural cues embedded in social marketing messages on osteoporosis may be internalized and motivating in unintended ways. Identifying and understanding cultural models of osteoporosis within a community may provide valuable insights to inform the development of targeted health messages.

KW - osteoporosis

KW - PREVENTION

U2 - 10.1177/2158244012464976

DO - 10.1177/2158244012464976

M3 - Journal article

SN - 2158-2440

VL - October/November

SP - 1

EP - 16

JO - SAGE Open

JF - SAGE Open

ER -