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Adolescents' health identities: A qualitative and theoretical study of health education courses

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  • Grabowski, D.
  • Rasmussen, K.K.

Abstract

In this paper we highlight the role of health identity in health education for adolescents. In school-based approaches to health education, it is often difficult to present health information and health communication in ways that make sense and appeal to adolescents. The concept of health identity has the potential of providing an analytical framework as well as practical recommendations for these issues and problem areas. The paper reports on an empirical study of elements of health identity in the context of health courses for adolescents – using interview data, observation studies and a theoretical construction focussing on self-observation, horizons of significance, expectational structures and social imaginaries. We present our findings in four main themes: 1) Adolescents' health identities are observed and developed when things matter, 2) Adolescents' health identities are observed and developed in relational contexts, 3) Adolescents' health identities are developed on the basis of observations of past, present and future health and 4) Adolescents' health identities are clearly defined. The paper provides health practitioners with important knowledge about why and how health-educational approaches should focus on health identity in order to provide conditions that create a significant health educating effect for all adolescents – not just for those who are already healthy.

Suggested Citation

  • Grabowski, D. & Rasmussen, K.K., 2014. "Adolescents' health identities: A qualitative and theoretical study of health education courses," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 67-75.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:120:y:2014:i:c:p:67-75
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.09.011
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    Cited by:

    1. Dan Grabowski & Jens Aagaard-Hansen & Ingrid Willaing & Bjarne Bruun Jensen, 2017. "Principled Promotion of Health: Implementing Five Guiding Health Promotion Principles for Research-Based Prevention and Management of Diabetes," Societies, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-15, April.
    2. Dan Grabowski & Maria Beatriz Rodriguez Reino & Tue Helms Andersen, 2019. "Mutual Involvement in Families Living with Type 2 Diabetes: Using the Family Toolbox to Address Challenges Related to Knowledge, Communication, Support, Role Confusion, Everyday Practices and Mutual W," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-14, September.

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