ARTICLES

Volume 2, Number 2
April-June 1997

Vol. 2, Num 2: Contents | Editorial | Up Front | Abstracts

Shared Ideology in Alcoholics Anonymous: A Grounded Theory Approach
     K.B. Wright

This article uses grounded theory to explore the shared ideology espoused in Alcoholics Anonymous, specifically the nature and role of shared ideology in increasing the efficacy of the recovery process, and the features of the group's tenets and meeting that help facilitate members' indoctrination. Findings support Kassel and Wagner's (1993) contention of shared ideology's major role in the change process of the group, and Antze's (1976) categorization of the AA ideology and alcoholics' characteristics. Ante's (1979) finding that AA ideology removes the concept of drinking from the voluntary sphere was also supported. The group was found to be a context in which members could change their assumptive worlds through reinterpreting life events, as Frank and Frank (191 contended. Little support was found for Alexander and Rolins's (1984) comparison of AA to religious cults. The finding underscore the importance of human interaction as persuasion and reinforcement of AA ideology.

The AIDS Risk Narrative in the 1994 CDC Campaign
     S. L. Brinson & M.H. Brown

In 1994, as part of its continuing "America Responds to AIDS" campaign, the CDC launched an innovative, straight forward campaign comprising nine public service announcements (PSAs) that advocate either condom use for sexually active young adults or sexual inactivity. This article evaluated the persuasive appeals of the PSAs through use of Fisher's (1984) narrative theory. It argues that the ads are likely to be effective for two reasons: (a) Because they are told in a story fashion, they will appeal to larger audiences; (b) moreover, because they contain high narrative probability and narrative fidelity, and because they provide "good reasons," they will find greater acceptance. however, because of the PSAs' failure to address competing narratives adequately, as well as network hesitance to broadcast them during heavy viewing periods, their effectiveness may be lessened. Ultimately, it is concluded the PSAs are an important step forward in communicating concerns of the continuing HIV/AIDS epidemic.

A Communication Analysis of Community Mobilization on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation
     S. McLean

This article is an analysis of the community mobilization process used at the Warm Spring Indian Reservation as part of a health education campaign. using the community education model proposed by Freire (1970), it examines the techniques employed to involve community members in radio, print, and public speaking fora, as well as the interpersonal interviews and listening techniques employed by the educators to gain entree to the community. Credibility emerged as a major issue to be addressed in the persistence, and frankness. Caution is urged in implementing the Freirian model without regard to unique community traditions and relationships.

FORUM

Improving Intergenerational Health Care Communication
    L.S. Bethea & A.L. Balazs

The relationship between health care providers and their older adult patients may suffer from miscommunication problems stemming from agist stereotyping. Stereotypes of older adults by younger adults may be revealed through patronizing speech -- or elder-speak, which is the overaccommodation of speech interaction. Over- and underaccommodation strategies based on these stereotypes are often used by young health care providers when communicating with older adults. As the population ages and the demand for health care services increases, health care providers must improve their communicative effectiveness with their older patients. Attention to the individual needs of health care consumers, cognizance of age or role stereotyping, and proper training of health care providers would increase communicative effectiveness and enhance the patient-provider relationship.

BOOK REVIEW

Bernard Lown. The Lost Art of Healing.
Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1997, 288 pp., $22.95
Reviewed by Cara Birrittieri, Health & Science Reporter, New England Cable News