The changing nature of social relations: Young women's perceptions of their health and health-related practices in three coastal Newfoundland and Labrador communities

The following study explores young women's perceptions of how their social relationships influence their health and health-related practices. Data were collected in three small, coastal communities in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The study is set within a context of restructuring that has been on-going since the collapse of the fishery in 1992. One-on-one, semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with eleven young women of Metis and non-Metis descent. The study is approached using a socio-ecosystem perspective, which recognizes the dynamic and reciprocal relationship that exists between the young women and the social, economic, political, industrial and natural environment. The findings reveal the central importance placed on key social relations for both emotional and physical health. However, the young women note that sometimes the strong, supportive relationships that are fostered in small, rural communities become difficult to maintain under the economic strain and uncertainty brought about by restructuring.