A qualitative analysis of the image of asthma in American mass market magazines from 1977-1988
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Abstract
This study was a qualitative content analysis of mass market magazine articles on asthma to see how they have met the information needs of asthmatics. The major research question was: How has the image of asthma changed from 1977-1988? The sample consisted of 50 articles, identified by The Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature and The Magazine Index. Units of analysis included article titles, pictures, and text. Throughout the sample there were consistent images of asthma as a potentially lifethreatening illness, aggravated, but not caused by emotions. There was also general agreement in the articles that asthma is a complex disorder with many triggers, symptoms, and responses to a wide range of drugs and other therapies. There were significantly more images, over time, of active asthmatics and non-drug therapies. There was also a slight increase in the image of asthma as a life threat to children. There were major gaps in article coverage of misconceptions, about the disease, sources for more information and suggestions for coping with symptoms.
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Thesis (M.S.)--Boston University
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