Health perceptions of local community works: network women describe how flows of energy and space of action generate health and ill health.
This paper presents a theoretical model on how flows of energy and space of action generate health and ill health in a local community work. Local community work was assessed through a case study of women's networks in a peripheral region of northern Sweden. The aim of the study was to analyse what participation in women's networks can mean for the members health perceptions. A purposeful selection of women's networks was made for the purpose of carrying out a qualitative follow-up study. Grounded theory was used to analyse the data and to generate a theoretical model. The meaning of participation in networks proved to be plural, as both health-deteriorating and health-promotive mechanisms were found. Two core categories "flows of energy" and "a space of action" as well as the four ancillary categories: social relations within the network; increased awareness of gender and power; becoming visible; and material prerequisites for networking were grounded in the data. We suggest that under certain circumstances local community work can be of crucial importance for health promotion.
Gustafsson-Larsson
Susanne
S
Family Medicine, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umeå Sweden. susanne.gustafsson-larsson@mam.mh.se
Hammarström
Anne
A
D000328:Adult; D019058:Community Networks; D003256:Community Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D016272:Occupational Health; D012649:Self Concept; D013548:Sweden; D016387:Women's Health