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

Charlotte Handberg; Sally Thorne; Julie Midtgaard; Claus Vinther Nielsen; Kirsten Lomborg

doi:10.1177/1049732314554231

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

Charlotte Handberg, Sally Thorne, Julie Midtgaard, Claus Vinther Nielsen, Kirsten Lomborg

Department of Public Health

32 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

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.

Original language	English
Journal	Qualitative Health Research
Volume	25
Issue number	8
Pages (from-to)	1023-32
Number of pages	10
ISSN	1049-7323
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732314554231
Publication status	Published - 21 Aug 2015

Keywords

Grounded Theory
Health Behavior
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Models, Psychological
Models, Theoretical
Qualitative Research
Research Design
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1177/1049732314554231

Cite this

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abstract = "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.",

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AU - Lomborg, Kirsten

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KW - Health Behavior

KW - Humans

KW - Interpersonal Relations

KW - Models, Psychological

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KW - Qualitative Research

KW - Research Design

KW - Journal Article

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

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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