Abstract
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to discover universal and diverse care meanings and expressions of the selected urban African American adolescent gang culture within a qualitative paradigm.
Design:
The study was conducted using ethnonursing research methodology and was guided by Leininger’s theory of culture care. Thirteen key participants and 28 general participants were selected from a school setting in a Midwestern city. Data were collected and analyzed over a 12-month period, in which the researcher participated daily in school and extracurricular activities of the gang members. Leininger’s Data Analysis Guide included collection of raw data and maintenance of a field journal, coding and examining of the data for behavioral patterns and structural meanings, and finally formulation of major themes.
Findings:
Culture care constructs that emerged from the major themes were respect, being listened to/accepted, worthiness, concern for others, protection, surveillance, trust, and faith.
Conclusions:
Nurses may promote health and well-being through collaborative partnerships with gang members and working with other caregivers to encourage more healthy lifestyles. Nurses should assume a leadership role in restructuring health policy that would give equal voice to underprivileged members of American society.
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