Agency and fatalism in older Appalachian women's information seeking about gynecological cancer. (4th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Potter, Emma C.; Allen, Katherine R.; Roberto, Karen A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of women & aging. Volume 31:Number 3(2019)
• Page Start: 192
• Page End: 212
• Publication Date: 2019-05-04
• Subjects: Agency -- Appalachia -- gynecological cancer -- information seeking -- older women -- rural; Social work with older people -- United States -- Periodicals; Social work with women -- United States -- Periodicals; Older women -- United States -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1080/08952841.2018.1434951
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0895-2841

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Researchers consider older women in rural Appalachia to have low levels of agency and high levels of fatalism regarding decision making about cancer treatment. Using the life course perspective, we examined older women's agency with information seeking about gynecological cancer. Semistructured interviews with 20 White women living in central Appalachia revealed four trajectories: Surrendering Control, Accepting Death, Self-Care, and Advocacy, each with its own forms of agency. Some women experienced personal transformation, increased self-efficacy, and a passion for community empowerment. Fatalism was not understood apart from placing trust in medical expertise. We implore researchers to further explore rural expressions of agency.