title: Tobacco use in intimate spaces: issues in the study of couple dynamics.
abstract: Few guidelines exist for using qualitative research to examine couple dynamics in contexts complicated by strong social stigmas and wide-ranging patterns of interpersonal relationships. The purpose of this article is to describe the methodological and ethical issues that arose in an ongoing qualitative study focused on tobacco reduction in the context of couple relationships, and the strategies undertaken to deal with these challenges. The authors discuss their experiences with the following: recruitment in the context of social stigma and the potential for intracouple coercion, data collection and the implications of uncovering intimate dimensions of couples' lives, the impact of the research process on mothers' vulnerability, and the challenges of capturing shared, "dyad" experiences. These issues point to unique challenges in conducting qualitative research with couples and families and provide a useful base for similar studies.
authors.affiliation: Nursing and Health Behaviour Research Unit, School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: Joan L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bottorff
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kalaw
authors.forename: Joy L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Lorraine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Greaves
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection; D004989:Ethics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012747:Sexual Partners; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D020340:Tobacco Use Cessation
chemical_list: D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution