Accounting for risk and responsibility associated with smoking among mothers of children with respiratory illness

Sociology of Health & Illness
Lauren Coxhead, Tim Rhodes

Abstract

Contemporary public health discourses construct individuals as rational, responsible and knowledgeable, and thus promote a self-controlled prudent response to risk. In the context of evidence emphasising risks to children's health associated with passive smoking, mothers of children with respiratory illness may knowingly place their children at increased risk should they continue to smoke in their presence. Drawing on an analysis of depth qualitative interview accounts with mothers who smoke and whose young child was recently admitted to hospital with respiratory illness, this study describes mothers' constructions of risk and responsibility associated with their smoking. Three forms of accounting style were identified: 'stories of acceptability'; 'denial of agency'; and 'reflections of guilt'. 'Stories of acceptability' either positioned the risk of passive smoking as contained and controlled to an acceptable level, or disputed the level of risk that passive smoke posed. 'Denial of agency' drew on discourses of addiction and shared responsibility to exonerate the mother of responsibility or blame. 'Reflections of guilt' were presented when contradictions arose within accounts, particularly in relation to discussions of agency ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Aug 12, 2008·Qualitative Health Research·Mimi NichterMyra Muramoto
Jul 17, 2009·American Journal of Preventive Medicine·Diana J BurgessMichelle van Ryn
Aug 24, 2007·Sociology of Health & Illness·Emily C HansenRichard Wood Baker
Jun 8, 2010·Sociology of Health & Illness·Kirsten BellJennifer Bell
Nov 3, 2010·Sociology of Health & Illness·Anu Katainen
Nov 3, 2010·Sociology of Health & Illness·Jude RobinsonSarah Cunningham-Burley
Dec 7, 2013·Addiction·Neneh Rowa-DewarSarah Cunningham-Burley
Mar 1, 2012·The International Journal on Drug Policy·Anna Leppo
Jun 23, 2012·The International Journal on Drug Policy·A OlsenL Maher
Jun 14, 2015·Health Promotion International·Aimei Mao, Jude Robinson
Sep 1, 2010·Toxins·Laurie C DolanGeorge A Burdock

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