Brinzaniuc, Alexandra (2021) Exploring smoking behaviour in homes with young children in Romania through a capability lens : a mixed-methods study. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

Protecting children from the harmful effects of secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) exposure is a critical public health problem, which needs to be addressed to reduce tobacco-attributable mortality and morbidity. However, children’s SHS exposure is strongly embedded in the socio-cultural environment, and interventional studies suggest mixed results. As a result, there is an increased need for more research on the socio-cultural environment within which smoking takes place, to ultimately inform effective interventions to reduce child exposure, while mitigating health inequalities.

The capability approach, which emerged as a critical response to income inequality theories and utilitarian approaches to social inequalities, became highly influential through the work of Amartya Sen and was best known in the area of human development. Since then, it was increasingly adopted in health studies, however with limited empirical applications around health behaviours. My study aimed to lay the foundation for the exploration of children’s secondhand tobacco smoke exposure via a capability lens.

The research explored decisions around indoor smoking in homes with young children (ages 36 months and younger), in an Eastern European country, Romania, as experienced and reported by mothers. Guided by the capability approach, it followed a two-phase sequential mixed-methods study design, with a qualitative component followed by a quantitative component. Results are reported on 17 qualitative interviews and 202 questionnaires. Findings suggested that the operationalisation of capabilities for smoke-free homes holds high potential and was also statistically associated with in-home smoking. The research thus brings a novel contribution to knowledge, by further expanding the application of the capability approach to understanding health behaviours.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Smoking -- Romania, Passive smoking in children -- Health aspects -- Romania, Children -- Health and hygiene -- Romania, Capabilities approach (Social sciences)
Official Date:	July 2021
Dates:	Date Event July 2021 UNSPECIFIED
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Warwick Medical School
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Blackburn, Clare ; Markham, Wolfgang
Extent:	326 leaves : illustrations
Language:	eng

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