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Developing a cultural model for long-term female urinary incontinence

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  • Bradway, Christine Wanich
  • Barg, Frances

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the subjective experience of long-term urinary incontinence and to show how a cultural model helps define that experience. Using a narrative approach within a cultural models framework, the specific aims are to describe and analyze: (1) what urinary incontinence means; and (2) how that meaning is constructed and negotiated by women living with urinary incontinence. 17 community-dwelling women (from Philadelphia, USA, and its immediate suburbs) participated in semi-structured interviews. Plot types and shared themes were compared with themes that emerged from media representations of female incontinence, and a cultural model was developed. Findings suggest: (1) the meaning of long-term female urinary incontinence is constructed and negotiated as a result of individual and shared experiences; (2) the cultural model constructed by women differs significantly from the professional, primarily biomedical model; and (3) women's narratives provide a method for accommodating similarities and differences between lay and professional models.

Suggested Citation

  • Bradway, Christine Wanich & Barg, Frances, 2006. "Developing a cultural model for long-term female urinary incontinence," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(12), pages 3150-3161, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:63:y:2006:i:12:p:3150-3161
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    Cited by:

    1. Hemachandra, Nilmini N. & Rajapaksa, Lalini C. & Manderson, Lenore, 2009. "A "usual occurrence:" Stress incontinence among reproductive aged women in Sri Lanka," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(9), pages 1395-1401, November.

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