Revisiting Symbolic Interactionism as a Theoretical Framework Beyond the Grounded Theory Tradition

TY - JOUR

T1 - Revisiting Symbolic Interactionism as a Theoretical Framework Beyond the Grounded Theory Tradition

AU - Handberg, Charlotte

AU - Thorne, Sally

AU - Midtgaard, Julie

AU - Nielsen, Claus Vinther

AU - Lomborg, Kirsten

N1 - © The Author(s) 2014.

PY - 2015/8/21

Y1 - 2015/8/21

N2 - The tight bond between grounded theory (GT) and symbolic interactionism (SI) is well known within the qualitative health research field. We aimed to disentangle this connection through critical reflection on the conditions under which it might add value as an underpinning to studies outside the GT tradition. Drawing on an examination of the central tenets of SI, we illustrate with a field study using interpretive description as methodology how SI can be applied as a theoretical lens through which layers of socially constructed meaning can help surface the subjective world of patients. We demonstrate how SI can function as a powerful framework for human health behavior research through its capacity to orient questions, inform design options, and refine analytic directions. We conclude that using SI as a lens can serve as a translation mechanism in our quest to interpret the subjective world underlying patients' health and illness behavior.

AB - The tight bond between grounded theory (GT) and symbolic interactionism (SI) is well known within the qualitative health research field. We aimed to disentangle this connection through critical reflection on the conditions under which it might add value as an underpinning to studies outside the GT tradition. Drawing on an examination of the central tenets of SI, we illustrate with a field study using interpretive description as methodology how SI can be applied as a theoretical lens through which layers of socially constructed meaning can help surface the subjective world of patients. We demonstrate how SI can function as a powerful framework for human health behavior research through its capacity to orient questions, inform design options, and refine analytic directions. We conclude that using SI as a lens can serve as a translation mechanism in our quest to interpret the subjective world underlying patients' health and illness behavior.

KW - Grounded Theory

KW - Health Behavior

KW - Humans

KW - Interpersonal Relations

KW - Models, Psychological

KW - Models, Theoretical

KW - Qualitative Research

KW - Research Design

KW - Journal Article

KW - Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

U2 - 10.1177/1049732314554231

DO - 10.1177/1049732314554231

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 25316693

SN - 1049-7323

VL - 25

SP - 1023

EP - 1032

JO - Qualitative Health Research

JF - Qualitative Health Research

IS - 8

ER -