Health Communication Commons^™

A Culture-Centered Approach To Exploring The Impact Of Culturallyappropriate Communication On Patient-Provider Communication Satisfaction For Blackfeet Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, Zita K. Ottersbach

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This study explores how culturally appropriate communication influences perceived quality of care and communication satisfaction among patients with T2D. Grounded in the Culture-Centered Approach (Dutta, 2008), this study explores how cultural identity, systemic structures, and communication practices shape the ways that Amskapi Pikuni individuals navigate their care, and seeks to ask: How, if at all, does a provider’s culturally competent communication influence a Blackfeet patient’s management of their T2 Diabetes? This project is based on in-depth, qualitative interviews with 13 Blackfeet participants, most living within the exterior boundaries of the Blackfeet reservation and receiving their primary healthcare at the local …

A Structurationally Informed View Of Emergency Medical Services Professionals’ Work-Related Communication And Behaviors While Off Duty, Susan J. Burnett

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Work-life interrelationships and boundaries are common areas of study in communication research. While some scholars maintain that the domains of work and personal lives and their boundaries are static and exist in designated times and spaces, others argue that domains are constructed around situated contexts and through the performance of situated activities that not only produce a time and place for the domain but call upon enactment of an identity appropriate for managing the domain and the boundaries around it. The people who work in emergency medical services (EMS), emergency medical services professionals (EMSPs) face special challenges in managing work-life …

Exploring Patient-Provider Communication In Indian American Populations: A Scoping Review, Pranav S. Nadella

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Effective provider-patient communication directly influences patient satisfaction, treatment adherence, and health outcomes, yet the unique experiences of Indian Americans—one of the fastest-growing U.S. populations—remain underexplored in communication research. This scoping review, following Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, systematically mapped the existing literature on provider-patient communication involving Indian Americans. Eleven studies met inclusion criteria, with data extracted on methods, populations, and seven coded aspects related to communication.

Findings revealed a narrow focus on first-generation immigrants and women, leaving men’s experiences and second-generation voices largely unexamined. Communication was shaped by language discordance, cultural stigma, family involvement, trust dynamics, and health literacy. No studies …

Tackling Paradoxes And Double Binds For A Healthier Workplace: Insights From The Early Covid-19 Responses In Quebec And Ontario, Daniel Côté, Amelia León, Ai-Thuy Huynh, Jessica Dubé, Ellen Maceachen, Pamela Hopwood, Marie Laberge, Samantha Meyer, Meghan K. Crouch, Joyceline Amoako

Études primaires

The urgency of managing the COVID-19 health crisis in workplaces led to tensions, work overload, and confusion about preventive measures. This study presents a secondary analysis of qualitative data on paradoxes and double binds (PDBs) experienced by precarious essential workers in Canada who interacted with the public and their supervisors. Based on 13 interviews from a larger qualitative dataset, we examine how workers navigated public health recommendations and organisational demands during the pandemic. Findings reveal multiple organisational and managerial PDBs—both COVID-19-related and pre-existing—that contributed to psychological distress and compromised well-being. We argue that PDBs represent a significant occupational health hazard …

Minds, Made Up Or Malleable? Covert Commands At The Eclipse Of Vaccine Communications, David H. Lee

Publications and Research

Abstract: Although millions have died from SARS-CoV-2 illness, COVID vaccines are credited with stemming the tide. Vaccinations and boosters significantly decrease the incidence of severe illness and death (even if they don’t usually prevent COVID-19 infection). Despite the success of global vaccination efforts, frequent reports of vaccine hesitance and refusal suggest that public health communications need improvement.

The chapter begins by acknowledging adverse events associated with COVID vaccination, including rare cases of anaphylaxis, GBS, and myocarditis. An inoculation-theoretic rationale is offered for this admission of vaccine risks: just as immune defenses mount when organisms are exposed to pathogens, so too …

White Coats And Scrubs: Bridging The Gaps In Accommodation, Tristan Stauffacher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Effective communication between nurses and physicians is critical for patient safety, yet these interactions often occur within hierarchical structures that can hinder open dialogue and collaboration. This study explores nurse-physician communication through the lens of Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT), specifically focusing on how nurses accommodate their communication using the framework’s strategies. Drawing on qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with registered nurses, this study identifies key themes including convergence, organizational silence, and maintenance as strategies that nurses engage in. The findings of this study reveal that accommodation choices are not solely motivated by intrinsic goals but can be motivated by external …

Personalizing Heat Information For Adults Over 65, Bruce C. Pollock Jr

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

In the lead-up to extreme heat events, federal agencies, such as the National Weather Service (NWS), issue products and messages that advise people as to expected impacts, duration, and protective actions of the hazard. Within social media graphics, words such as “elderly” are used but are not defined by age. This can complicate personalization of risk to a hazard, such as extreme heat. I conducted focus groups across the United States and found that the term "elderly” was not understood among the general population. Additionally, I found that definitions of aging were tied to concepts such as mobility, resource access, …

Investigating Post-Adoption Abandonment Of Mental Health Mobile Applications Among Young Adults, Donald Harris

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

The rising prevalence of mental health issues among young adults has driven increased interest in Mental Health Mobile Applications (MHMAs), which offer accessible and cost-effective solutions to traditional barriers such as financial limitations, stigma, and restricted healthcare access. Despite their promise, MHMAs frequently experience high rates of attrition and abandonment, significantly limiting their long-term effectiveness. Employing a mixed-methods, multi-stage research design, this dissertation explores the determinants of MHMA abandonment among young adults, emphasizing the interplay between technological inhibitors and enablers, individual user characteristics, and the mediating roles of user satisfaction and perceived usefulness.

Study 1 utilized quantitative text analysis, including …

Applying The Ecological Model Of Medical Encounters To Understand Patient-Centered Communication For Older Korean Migrants In The U.S., Seulgi Park

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Patient-Centered Communication (PCC) is defined as an approach that places patients at the center of communication with healthcare providers. PCC has been recognized as a strategy to address disparities experienced by minority populations. However, despite its associations with positive health outcomes and ethical significance, there has been a paucity of research on PCC in minority populations such as older Korean migrants in the U.S. Understanding PCC within this group may contribute to improving healthcare communication tailored to their needs. This dissertation aimed to (1) explore the expectations of PCC in primary care settings among older Korean migrants in the U.S., …

Exposure To Preference-Matched Alcohol Advertisements From National Sports Broadcasts Increases Short-Term Alcohol Consumption Inclinations In Risky Drinkers, Ross C. Hollett, Jesse Fairclough, Julia Butt, Brennen Mills

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: In Australia, sports broadcasting is afforded special alcohol advertising rights during daytime hours, which raises public health concerns, including short-term increases in alcohol consumption among the broad viewership of national sporting codes. Methods: We conducted a content analysis across a sample of nationally televised finals matches (N = 16) from the Australian Football League (AFL) and the National Rugby League (NRL) to determine the prevalence of alcohol advertising video clips during these broadcasts. We also conducted an online experiment exposing participants (N = 345) to a randomly selected alcohol advertisement and measured the immediate effects on self-reported alcohol craving …

Where Are The Alcohol Advertising Hotspots Near Schools?, Joelie Mandzufas, Karen Lombardi, Robyn S. Johnston, Alexia Bivoltsis, Justine Howard, Paula Hooper, Gina Trapp

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Issue Addressed: Physically locating liquor stores near schools can strongly influence the chances of youth accessing and consuming alcohol, and may also increase children's exposure to alcohol advertising. Investigating the association between the presence of a liquor store near a school and the prevalence of outdoor alcohol advertising is crucial from a policy perspective, as it can inform future regulations on the placement of liquor stores and outdoor advertising near educational institutions. Methods: All outdoor alcohol advertising within a 500 m radius (audit zone) of 64 randomly selected schools from local government areas across metropolitan Perth was identified by direct …

Reducing Methamphetamine Use In Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Communities With The “We Can Do This” Web App: Qualitative Evaluation Of Acceptability And Feasibility, Leda Sivak, Rachel Reilly, Shani Crumpen, Carla Treloar, Rebecca Mcketin, Julia Butt, Yvette Roe, Nadine Ezard, Brendan Quinn, Jack Nagle, Wade Longbottom, Clifford Warrior, James Ward

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Preventing and treating methamphetamine-related harm in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations is a significant challenge for health care services. Digital health care may offer opportunities to support individuals and families in ways that complement existing methamphetamine treatment options. This study responds to a community-identified priority as Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services identified methamphetamine use as a key concern and sought support to respond to the needs of people who use methamphetamine and their families. Objective: This paper reports on a process evaluation of the web application’s acceptability and feasibility when used by clients and clinicians in residential rehabilitation …

Good Arts, Good Mental Health®: The Effectiveness Of An Australian Health Promotion Media Campaign In Promoting Community Mental Wellbeing Via The Arts, Christina R. Davies, Melanie T. Pescud, Rhonda Clifford, Richard Mcgrath, Annie Thomson, Mia Jeffrey, Melissa Stoneham, Terri Pikora, Peter Wright, Sonya Girdler, Loretta Baldassar, Stephen Clift

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: This study describes and evaluates Good Arts, Good Mental Health^® (GAGMH), a groundbreaking, population-level, arts-mental health promotion media campaign. The objectives of the campaign (Wave 1) were to increase brand awareness, comprehension, and agreement with the tagline Good Arts, Good Mental Health^® and empower the general population to form an intention to engage in the Arts for their mental wellbeing. Methods: The campaign ran from August to September 2024 (4 weeks), cost AUD$198,965 (23% creative and 77% media/advertising distribution), and targeted the Western Australian (WA) general population aged 18–65 years, all genders, in both metropolitan and regional …

Analysing The Behaviour Change Techniques In An Effective Food Literacy Program To Inform Future Program Design, Lucy M. Butcher, Caylah Batt, Sophie Royce, Eamon Barron, Roslyn Giglia, Andrea Begley

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: Food literacy programs aim to improve food related skills and knowledge and are selected Governments as a strategy to address dietary intakes at a community level. The purpose of this research is to identify behaviour change techniques in a food literacy program, which were assessed by the achievement of participant goals related to food literacy and dietary behaviour changes. Methods: Consensus methods were applied to map behaviour change techniques to an adult food literacy program. A second phase investigation applied content analysis of participant process evaluation data (collected between 2016 and June 2021) to align target behaviours and behaviour …

An Anti-Junk Food Ad From A Sports Commercial Break Reduced Junk Food Consumption Inclinations, Yet Junk Food Ads Had Minimal To No Impact, Ross C. Hollett, Julia Butt, Brennen Mills, Stephanie L. Godrich, Gina S.A. Trapp, Amanda Devine

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: In Australia, there are concerns that unrestricted junk food advertising during sports broadcasts increases short-term junk food consumption among viewers. Therefore, the present study aimed to estimate the impact of junk food and anti-junk food advertising on consumption inclinations. Methods: We conducted a content analysis across a sample (N = 16) of Australian Football League (AFL) and National Rugby League (NRL) matches to determine the prevalence of junk food and anti-junk food advertising video clips. We also exposed participants (N = 428) to a single randomly selected junk food advertisement or a single anti-junk food advertisement and measured the …

Vaccines And Publics: A Variety Of Engagement Experiences, David H. Lee

Publications and Research

This chapter is about some of the sites and scenes where members of the public are exposed to (and engage in) vaccination discourse. To preview, after a brief introduction, we begin with messaging models of communication, followed by the move from messaging to engagement. Next, case examples of public engagement with vaccines are introduced, from pandemic influenza preparedness in the U.S., to polio eradication initiatives in India, and then to COVID-19 public engagement events in England. Settings of public engagement are noted, including online, in churches and museums. Then, there’s a section about communication and public participation, seen as either …

Evaluation Of The Sources Of Sexual Knowledge And Information Among Men In Kenya, Darlene Mwende Ndasi, Kwadwo Adusei-Asante, Anh Vo Van Ha, Madalena Grobbelaar, Victor Fannam Nunfam

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Sources of sexual knowledge and information among men have impact on quality of their sexual literacy and decision making. Sexual knowledge impacts on sexual attitudes, which underpin sexual behaviours and in turn impacts the sexual health outcomes of men. A cross-sectional quantitative survey was used to assess the sources of sexual knowledge and information among 484 Kenyan adult men aged 18–54. Data analysis was performed with STATA-16. Results showed that 79% of men learned about sex from school-based sex education, 75% and 72% from peers and mass media respectively while healthcare professionals (35%) and parents (28%) had the lowest influence …

Balancing Digital Presents And Futures: Understanding First-Time Parents’ Practices, Plans And Perceptions Of ‘Quality’ And Risk In Young Children's Digital Engagements, Katrin Langton, Emma Jayakumar, Harrison W. See, Catherine Archer, Giselle Woodley

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Parents in Australia today have to make decisions about what counts as appropriate digital media use for their young children in a cultural context characterised by conflicting advice, impractical screen use recommendations and risk-focussed media messaging. These conditions make it challenging for parents to purposefully approach and plan not only their children's current digital engagements but also their futures as digital citizens. How parents negotiate these tensions in managing their young children's digital presents, and how they approach planning for their digital futures, remains underexplored. This paper presents the findings of two rounds of qualitative interviews and three focus groups …

Media Literacy, Trust In Government And Vaccine Readiness: A Study Among Vietnam’S Youngsters, Van T. Vu

Journal of Media Literacy Education

This study examines the correlation between youngsters’ media literacy and their trust in government, support for anti-pandemic regulations, and vaccine readiness during the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam. The findings show a statistically significant positive correlation between youngsters’ media literacy and their trust in government, support for anti-pandemic regulations, and vaccine readiness. The more media literacy youngsters have, the more likely they trust the government, comply with anti-pandemic regulations, and take the COVID-19 vaccines. The findings emphasize the importance of media literacy and media literacy education as the core solution to construct a media-literate society, in which youngsters use media for …

Analysis Of Public Opinion Polls About Covid-19 Vaccines: Theoretical And Policy Implications For Vaccine Communication And Campaigns To Address Vaccine Hesitancy, Muhammad Ittefaq, Hong Tien Vu, Ali Zain, Tayyeb Ramazan, Gary L. Kreps

School of Communication Studies - Faculty Scholarship

This study analyzed 1432 questions asked in 19 surveys (N = 43,014) on COVID-19 vaccines between January 2020 and August 2022 using dimensions including (1) information sources about COVID-19 vaccine, (2) information about the access, effectiveness, and side effects of COVID-19 vaccine, (3) COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (i.e. false perception, skepticism, and vaccine refusal), (4) motivations to get the COVID-19 vaccine (i.e. to perform routine activities, convenience, incentives, influences, and travel requirement), (5) false perceptions caused vaccine refusal, and (6) intentions to get vaccinated. Our results show that vaccine refusal was rampant throughout the pandemic and mostly attributed to the …