Case studies of power and control related to tobacco use during pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
The objective was to identify and describe elements of power and control evident in couple tobacco-related interaction patterns during pregnancy.


METHODS
Using a case study approach, elements of the Duluth Abuse Intervention Project Power and Control Wheel were used to examine women's experiences of tobacco reduction during pregnancy and post partum. Three cases were selected from a larger qualitative sample, using a maximum variation sampling approach.


RESULTS
Although no direct evidence of partner abuse or violence accompanying partner efforts to influence women's smoking was described, most of the elements of power and control were present in the case study, and appeared to cause an emotional toll and a negative impact on women's ability to freely express their views about their own tobacco use.


CONCLUSIONS
Elements of power and control, however subtle, are potentially important and unrecognized dimensions of women's tobacco reduction experiences. Additional care and attention should be taken in designing tobacco reduction interventions and policies directed at pregnant and post partum women and their partners to reduce the possibility that these interventions may contribute to the use of power and control.
Greaves
Lorraine
L
British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women's Health, Vancouver, BC Canada. lgreaves@cw.bc.ca
Kalaw
Cecilia
C
Bottorff
Joan L
JL
D000328:Adult; D000739:Anecdotes as Topic; D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires