| The purpose of this exploratory research is to apply a sociological perspective to the subject of medical adherence behavior. Whereas much of the literature on medical adherence is derived from medical model paradigms, this study endeavors to explore family context as a structuring mechanism for adherence behavior by employing the theoretical frameworks of sociologists Pierre Bourdieu (1984) and William C. Cockerham (1999).; A questionnaire designed to assess health behaviors and health perceptions patterned within the family of origin was completed by a convenience sample of 123 allergic rhinitis patients. The study population is 85 percent white, 61 percent female, and 74 per cent married; in addition, 60% are college graduates, and 68% have combined household incomes over {dollar}50,000. The mean age is 49 years. Because this study population's middle-class status served as a control for income and education, social and experiential factors influencing medical adherence could be explored unencumbered by variables traditionally associated with medical adherence.; A series of statistical procedures were employed to examine the relationship between components of the conceptual model. Statistically significant relationships were found between social support during illness and the following sociodemographic variables: gender, marital status, education, race, and family-of-origin socioeconomic status. Statistically significant relationships were also found between perception of the health behaviors of the family of origin and the following family-of-origin health behaviors: father's alcohol consumption, mother's and father's preventive examination behavior, mother's and father's smoking behavior, mother's and father's medical adherence behavior, family-of-origin diet, and family exercise behavior.; Multiple regression analysis was employed to test the effect of the conceptual model's components on medical adherence. Age, the presence of chronic illness in the family of origin, allergy-related dialogue with the physician, and childhood-based perceptions of family-of-origin health behaviors achieved statistical significance in the regression model. For this study population, the results indicate that older patients with chronic illness in their family history, who have discussions with their physician about allergy control, and who have positive perceptions of the health behaviors of their family of origin are more likely to be medically adherent. |
