The Influence of Risk Perception on Health Behaviour in Adults with Cardiovascular Disease: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study
Date
2021-01-05
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Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is recognized as a significant contributing factor to the global burden of chronic illness. Fortunately, CVD is a largely preventable disease; the challenge may lie in identifying accurate perception or understanding of personal CVD risk to increase the likelihood that an individual is engaged in preventative behaviours. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of how perceptions of risk factors influence preventative health behaviour in adults living with CVD. Using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) as the guiding theoretical framework and constructivist grounded theory methodology, I interviewed nine participants from a Cardiovascular Rehabilitation facility in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, to explore their experience following an acute cardiovascular event. I analyzed the data using coding, memo-writing, theoretical sampling, and constant-comparative processes. This analysis led to the co-construction of the theory An Inner Struggle of Finding Self-Acceptance after a Cardiovascular Event. Encompassed within this theory is the core variable and basic social process, an inner struggle, and three interrelated categories each with defining sub-categories and properties. Findings from this study suggest that the key to supporting and empowering individuals to make preventative lifestyle changes is in acknowledging and understanding the unique and contextual experience of each individual to foster a multidimensional approach to health.
Keywords: Cardiovascular disease, prevention, perception of risk, health behaviour, constructivist grounded theory, theory of planned behaviour.
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Keywords
Cardiovascular Disease, Prevention, Perception of Risk, Health Behaviour, Constructivist Grounded Theory
Citation
Helms, K. C. (2021). The Influence of Risk Perception on Health Behaviour in Adults with Cardiovascular Disease: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.