Parent-adolescent health conversations as action: Theoretical and methodological issues

A qualitative research method based on action theory is proposed and illust rated for use in health psychology and health promotion research. Action re fers to the goal-directed and intentional behaviors of individual and group s. Action theory has the advantage of using the perspectives provided by ma nifest behavior, internal processes, and social meaning in the analysis of action. In this article, the actions under consideration are the health-rel ated conversations of parents and their adolescent children. The approach i s premised on an understanding of health promotion as a family task constru cted through actions such as conversations between family members. Health c onversations in two parent-adolescent dyads are used to illustrate the meth od. The analysis includes the identification of goals, functional steps, an d elements and their relation to the family health promotion project. Speci fic attention is paid to data gathering and analysis issues and their impli cations for health promotion research.