Table 2.
Thematic Codes and Definitions.
| Code name | No. of FGs | Abridged definition: Use this code for discussion of … |
|---|---|---|
| Peer experiences | 40 | . . . peer experiences—what happened to one’s friends or family members—as a factor affecting whether and how one seeks health care. |
| Pride/male gender roles | 40 | . . . men being too proud to see a provider, or thinking they are less of a man/weak if they seek care for any ailments, as a factor affecting whether or how one seeks health care. Includes discussion of male gender roles around health and health care and terms like machismo, ego. |
| Upbringing/how we came up | 40 | . . . upbringing or how one was raised as a factor affecting whether and how one seeks health care. |
| If it ain’t broke/I’m all right | 38 | . . . belief that if there’s not something seriously broken, there’s no need for medical attention, often summarized as “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” typically as a factor affecting whether and how one seeks health care. |
| Home remedies | 37 | . . . home remedies, alternative, or naturopathic medicine accessed or applied outside of the standard biomedical system. |
| Family history | 35 | . . . family history or susceptibility to a disease or condition; genetic predisposition or heredity as a factor that affects whether or how one seeks health care. |
| Family motivates | 30 | . . . family members urging men to seek health care as a factor affecting whether and how one seeks health care. Also use for men wanting to take care of their health for the benefit of their family. |
| Invincibility | 29 | . . . invincibility or a perception of immunity to risk or hazard as a factor affecting whether or how one seeks health care. |
| Celebrities/famous role models | 15 | . . . celebrities (local or national) or other famous or well-known role models as they relate to health, health beliefs, or health care. |
| Social pressure/influence | 9 | . . . social pressure or influence—positive or negative—that affects whether and how one seeks health care. |
Note. FG = focus group.
Thematic codes related to the social and cultural influences on health- and health care–seeking behavior of African American study focus group participants.