Date of Award
1-1-2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D. in Social Welfare
First Advisor
Desiree Stepteau Watson
Second Advisor
Anne Cafer
Third Advisor
Teresa Lefmann
School
University of Mississippi
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
This qualitative study explored the perceptions of facilitators, barriers, and feelings of empowerment related to achieving healthy nutrition outcomes among pregnant and postnatal African American women in Tennessee. Data in this study was gathered utilizing the qualitative Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach of photovoice and the Transdisciplinary Contextualized Resilience Framework (TCRF) to examine factors influencing nutrition across multiple levels. The study recruited 13 African American mothers who ages ranged from 24-35 years old and who lived in the Greater Knoxville, Tn area. The study utilized a survey to capture the participants’ demographic characteristics and employed a modified version of the Photovoice method, which consisted of three parts: 1) a photovoice assignment, 2) a semi-structured interview, 3) a focus group.
Findings from this study highlights the importance participants placed on personal relationships, social support, and knowledge acquisition as facilitators of healthy nutrition. The study revealed cognitive constraints, financial constraints, and competing demands as barriers for participants’ overall nutritional outcome. Lastly, the data in the study suggest participants’ support system and self-motivation were factors that contributed to participants feeling empowered. Implications and recommendations are discussed at the end of the paper.
Recommended Citation
Bacon, Carissa, "Nourishing Narratives: A Photovoice Exploration of Black Maternal Nutrition in Tennessee" (2024). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2917.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/2917