Political Process, Activism, and Health Dissertation
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POLITICAL PROCESS, ACTIVISM, AND HEALTH DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Anne E. Haas, M.A. ***** The Ohio State University 2005 Dissertation Committee: Approved by Professor Vincent Roscigno, Advisor Professor Timothy Curry ________________________ Professor Steven Lopez Sociology Graduate Program ABSTRACT Conventional women are saturated with mass media images depicting very thin, attractive women. These images impose ideals that are impossible for most women to meet in a healthy way. This study examines the substantive issue of women's body appearance, aging, and related health outcomes, including eating disorders, and how these might be mediated and improved by activist political process. Concepts from social movements and social-psychological perspectives are integrated into what I call the political process model—a model that delineates how activists become socialized and immersed in alternative political networks that influence subsequent activities, ideas, and identities. I use this model to test the ability of activists to sustain commitment to their causes, including those that relate to women’s bodies, over time. The process that connects the concepts in this model (i.e., pivotal events, collective identity, pivotal departures, empowerment, and health) provides the conceptual framework to which my analytic strategy derives. I address four research expectations using triangulated quantitative and qualitative methods, and draw original data sources. Original survey data on female activists and non-activists are used to test whether the two groups differ in their politics, daily routines, and several dimensions of health (e.g., use of conventional versus non-conventional medical care, eating habits, etc.). Secondly, I relate political ii process, collective identity and health by intertwining two qualitative research methods. These include qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) of variables from the survey data, and interpretive analysis of open-ended interviews. QCA results reveal unique configurations of attributes affecting aspects of activists’ daily routines and health. Combined with interview materials, findings relate how political processes build personal and collective identities and shape health related behaviors and outcomes. The third part of my analytic strategy relies on interpretive analysis of activists’ interviews to assess how networks and the community rituals matter. The interview and participant observation data support the expectation that women activists’ experiences at various “pivotal” life course stages hold positive implications for health. In sum, the linking of QCA and interpretive analyses demonstrates the importance of the processes through which community membership matters. The political process model is supported by findings based on the cross-methodologies used. Substantively, I find that political process is related to women’s sustained, positive body image and aging health. Activist commitment is bolstered by social networks that support conventional, non-institutional, and political/cultural behaviors, such as avoiding harmful mass media images. I also advance broad theoretical goals by articulating the interrelatedness of the three processes of collective identity formative, and by elaborating on the social- psychological impact of social movements and social movement membership. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I am entirely grateful for the continued support that my advisor, Vinnie Roscigno, has provided me. This support has been on many levels that go beyond academic matters. Vinnie has a gift of scholarship that demonstrates imagination and the integration of creativity with technical savvy. He has graciously shared with me his innumerable, unique skills, in particular, those that promote theoretically-guided research. I appreciate that Vinnie never gave up on me when times were the hardest. His faith was a spark that consistently motivated me to push past boundaries. I am continually inspired by the creative work of my general exam chair, Verta Taylor. Verta’s is a type of scholarship that I find necessary and inspiring. She is not shy about articulating a feminist, self-defined, and empowered standpoint that amplifies women’s voices. The topics she explores are provocative, challenging, even daring. Because of Verta, I know that robust scholarship can effectively combine with risk. My dissertation committee is composed of Tim Curry and Steven Lopez. Both men have been continually supportive throughout the entirety of my research. They have inspired me to get through tedium and keep my eyes on the prize. From this, future projects will be all the more possible for me. I have many friends who have cheered me through the years of graduate school. iv Brian, Patrick, Sean, Emily, Nick, Landon, Ani, Pat, Rose and Claire have ensured that I am always filled to the brim with great coffee. I most certainly could not have proceeded at the pace I did, especially this past summer, without them! Thank you to Roy and Dave for keeping my junky vehicle on the road. Your kindness is appreciated, and I love the personal attention. My friend Noah loves his son, Aiden, who looks up to him and needs him dearly. I always liked seeing you two interact; it is inspiring to see men who love. Another friend, Ritchie, has always been kind to me no matter what the circumstance. That means a great deal during stressful times. I am grateful to two wonderful friends in Columbus, Lisa Armstrong and Karen Clark, who shared their lives, the good times and the bad, with me. Our children have grown up together, and we have shared their many joys and accomplishments. All of us are single mothers, with more than our share of work. The load seemed lighter with their support. My family I cannot thank enough. You have always believed in me and provided the kindest support. Mom, Dad, Denise, Mary, Matt, Ed, you mean so very much to me. I consider my dissertation and PhD to belong to them as well, so congratulations to the family. I need to thank my daughter, Hannah Green, the most of all. Hannah, you have been more patient with me than your 10 young years suggest. Every one of the long times we spent at Scottie’s enabled me to add parts to chapters. You have always kept me silly and laughing, making the weight of this project lighter to bear. It is my sincere hope that you have seen that a woman can fulfill big goals with persistence and support. I know you will do the same, Hannah. You are the best part of my life! v VITA February 9, 1971…………………………….Born—Akron, Ohio 1993………………………………………….B.A. Sociology, Kent State University 1998………………………………………….M.A. Sociology, Kent State University 1998-2005……………………………………Graduate Teaching and Administrative Associate, The Ohio State University PUBLICATIONS 1. Haas, Anne E. and Stanford W. Gregory, Jr. 2005. “The Impact of Physical Attractiveness on Women’s Social Status and Interactional Power.” Sociological Forum 20(3): 449-471. FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Sociology vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract……………………………………………………………………………….ii Acknowledgments………………………………………………..…………………...iv Vita…………………………………………………………………………………....vi List of Tables………………………………………………………………………….x Chapters: 1. Introduction……………………………………………………………………1 Theoretical Gaps and Goals………………………………………… 4 Gaps in Political Generations Theory……………………… 4 Pivotal Departures…………………………………………….10 Links Between Symbolic-Interactionism and Social Movements………………………………………...12 Theoretical Summary and Expectations………………………………15 Chapter Outline………………………………………………………..19 2. Historical Roots of Contemporary Progressive Activism……………………..22 Progressive Women Activists of the 21st Century…………………….23 The Context of New Social Movements………………………………28 American Women Activists: An Abbreviated History……………….30 Summary………………………………………………………………43 3. Theoretical Model: Synthesis and Expectations……………………………...45 Theoretical Model……………………………………………………..49 4. Data, Methods, and Analytic Strategy……………………………………… 63 Data……………………………………………………………………63 Survey Measures………………………………………………… 68 Variables……………………………………………………….68 Interpretive Analysis…………………………………………………..72 Coding Data……………………………………………………73 Analytic Strategy…………………………………………………… 78 vii 5. Political, Cultural, and Health Differences Between Activists and Non-Activists…………………………………………………………….80 Variables………………………………………………………………80 Political Differences…………………………………………………..87 Cultural Differences in Daily Routine………………………………..98 Differences on Health Issues and Outcomes………………………...110 Summary………………………………………………………… 118 6. Political Process, Collective Identity, and Health……………………………119 Women’s Differences, QCA, and Interpretive Analysis………… 120 Group Consciousness………………………………………………...122 Alternative News Media……………………………………...124 The Importance of Women’s Social Support………………...128 Personalized Political Strategies……………………………………...133 Regularly Eating Meat……………………………………… 133 Seeing Alternative Practitioners……………………………...137 Boundaries……………………………………………………………140 Body Image and Appearance…………………………………141 Conclusion……………………………………………………………146 7. Pivotal Events, Processes of Transition, and Holistic Health……………… 148 Early Socialization………………………………………………… 150 Parents………………………………………………………..150 Early Political Socialization………………………………….154 Adolescence and Young Adulthood………………………………….163 Eating Disorders…………………………………………… 165 Processes of Collective Identity…………………………………… 168 Groups Consciousness……………………………………………….169