Melanie A Medeiros
SUNY: Geneseo, Anthropology, Faculty Member
Divorce rates globally are on the rise, and in rural Northeast Brazil increasing rates of marital dissolution index transformations in gender roles, marriage and kinship structures. Socioeconomic change—specifically a transition to an... more
Divorce rates globally are on the rise, and in rural Northeast Brazil increasing rates of marital dissolution index transformations in gender roles, marriage and kinship structures. Socioeconomic change—specifically a transition to an economy based in eco-tourism—impacts gender roles and subsequent views on marriage and marriage dissolution. In a context of extreme social inequality and structural vulner-
ability women’s employment combined with men’s unemployment decreases women’s incentives to stay in an unsatisfactory marriage. However, a women and men’s ability or inability to make a financial contribution to the household is not the primary impetus for marital dissolution. Among other factors, marriage dissolution represents the breakdown of an emerging bargain between women and men based in the ideal of a modern companionate marriage. [
ability women’s employment combined with men’s unemployment decreases women’s incentives to stay in an unsatisfactory marriage. However, a women and men’s ability or inability to make a financial contribution to the household is not the primary impetus for marital dissolution. Among other factors, marriage dissolution represents the breakdown of an emerging bargain between women and men based in the ideal of a modern companionate marriage. [
Research Interests:
Objective: To develop and test messages and a mobile phone delivery protocol designed to influence the nutrition and physical activity knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of adolescents. Design: Nine focus groups, 4 classroom discussions,... more
Objective: To develop and test messages and a mobile phone delivery protocol designed to influence the
nutrition and physical activity knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of adolescents. Design: Nine focus groups, 4 classroom discussions, and an 8-week pilot study exploring message content, format, origin, and message delivery were conducted over 12 months using a multistage, youth participatory
approach. Setting: Youth programs at 11 locations in Arizona.
Participants: Recruitment was coordinated through youth educators and leaders. Eligible teens were 12-18 years old and enrolled in youth programs between fall 2009 and 2010.
Phenomenon of Interest: Adolescent preferences for messages and delivery of messages. Analysis: Qualitative data analysis procedures to generate themes from field notes. Results: One hundred seventy-seven adolescents participated in focus groups (n ¼ 59), discussions (n ¼ 86), and a pilot study (n ¼ 32). Youth preferred messages with an active voice that referenced teens and recommended specific, achievable behaviors; messages should come from nutrition professionals delivered
as a text message, at a frequency of # 2 messages/day. Conclusions and Implications: More than 300 messages and a delivery protocol were successfully developed and tested in partnership with adolescents. Future research should address scalability of texting interventions; explore dose associated with changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors; and offer
customized message subscription options. Key Words: adolescents, mobile health, diet, health education, community-based participatory research.
nutrition and physical activity knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of adolescents. Design: Nine focus groups, 4 classroom discussions, and an 8-week pilot study exploring message content, format, origin, and message delivery were conducted over 12 months using a multistage, youth participatory
approach. Setting: Youth programs at 11 locations in Arizona.
Participants: Recruitment was coordinated through youth educators and leaders. Eligible teens were 12-18 years old and enrolled in youth programs between fall 2009 and 2010.
Phenomenon of Interest: Adolescent preferences for messages and delivery of messages. Analysis: Qualitative data analysis procedures to generate themes from field notes. Results: One hundred seventy-seven adolescents participated in focus groups (n ¼ 59), discussions (n ¼ 86), and a pilot study (n ¼ 32). Youth preferred messages with an active voice that referenced teens and recommended specific, achievable behaviors; messages should come from nutrition professionals delivered
as a text message, at a frequency of # 2 messages/day. Conclusions and Implications: More than 300 messages and a delivery protocol were successfully developed and tested in partnership with adolescents. Future research should address scalability of texting interventions; explore dose associated with changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors; and offer
customized message subscription options. Key Words: adolescents, mobile health, diet, health education, community-based participatory research.
