Choice, morality and vulnerability : young women's discourses of cervical screening : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology (endorsement in Health Psychology) at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand

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dc.contributor.authorCoulter, Holly
dc.date.accessioned2017-07-24T01:59:31Z
dc.date.available2017-07-24T01:59:31Z
dc.date.issued2016
dc.description.abstractCervical screening is a health surveillance tool used to prevent cervical cancer. In New Zealand, research into cervical screening has largely focused on barriers to participation. This type of research implicitly assumes that cervical screening is a desirable health behaviour for women to engage in, and does not explore how social and political factors are implicated in cervical screening behaviour. This research sought to explore women’s understandings and experiences of cervical screening. Ten women aged 20 to 30 were interviewed, their responses recorded and transcribed, and an interpretive analysis conducted. From the analysis, three broad webs of discourse surrounding cervical screening – choice, morality and vulnerability – were identified and discussed. Each web of discourse was used to construct cervical screening in different ways. For choice, participants constructed cervical screening as an autonomous choice, routine, or an obligation. Morality was drawn upon for its role in cervical screening around ideas of individual and social responsibility, and sexual activity. Finally, vulnerability was explored through the fear of getting cervical cancer, the vulnerability experienced as part of screening, and the protection it was seen to offer. Choice, morality and vulnerability worked together to limit the available ways of experiencing and acting in relation to cervical screening, constructing compliance as the only option for women. Those who do not comply are positioned as problematic, irresponsible and immoral by women, their friends and families, and health professionals. This research highlighted the ways in which discourses produce realities which create and maintain power imbalances which govern and control women’s bodies. Rather than viewing cervical screening as a desirable yet morally neutral act which all women ought to participate in, it is a site where women may choose to comply or resist dominant discourses which exert power over women’s bodies.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10179/11492
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherMassey Universityen_US
dc.rightsThe Authoren_US
dc.subjectCervical canceren_US
dc.subjectCervix uterien_US
dc.subjectCanceren_US
dc.subjectDiagnosisen_US
dc.subjectPreventionen_US
dc.subjectMedical screeningen_US
dc.subjectYoung womenen_US
dc.subjectHealth and hygieneen_US
dc.subjectPsychological aspectsen_US
dc.subjectNew Zealanden_US
dc.titleChoice, morality and vulnerability : young women's discourses of cervical screening : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology (endorsement in Health Psychology) at Massey University, Albany, New Zealanden_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
massey.contributor.authorCoulter, Holly
thesis.degree.disciplineHealth Psychologyen_US
thesis.degree.grantorMassey Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelMastersen_US
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (MSc)en_US
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