Assembles the most important theories in the field of health communication in one comprehensive volume, designed for students and practitioners alike
Health Communication Theory is the first book to bring together the theoretical frameworks used in the study and practice of creating, sending, and receiving messages relating to health processes and health care delivery. This timely volume provides easy access to the key theoretical foundations on which health communication theory and practice are based. Students and future practitioners are taught how to design theoretically-grounded research, interventions, and campaigns, while established scholars are presented with new and developing theoretical frameworks to apply to their work.
Divided into three parts, the volume first provides a summary and history of the field, followed by an overview of the essential theories and concepts of health communication, such as Problematic Integration Theory and the Cultural Variance Model. Part Two focuses on interpersonal communication and family interaction theories, provider-patient interaction frameworks, and public relations and organizational theories. The final part of the volume centers on theories relevant to information processing and cognition, affective impact, behavior, message effects, and socio-psychology and sociology. Edited by two internationally-recognized experts with extensive editorial and scholarly experience, this first-of-its-kind volume:
- Provides original chapters written by a group of global scholars working in health communication theory
- Covers theories unique to interpersonal and organizational contexts, and to health campaigns and media issues
- Emphasizes the interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of health communication research
- Includes overviews of basic health communication theory and application
- Features commentary on future directions in health communication theory
Health Communication Theory is an indispensable resource for advanced undergraduate and graduate students studying health communication, and for both new and established scholars looking to familiarize themselves with the area of study or seeking a new theoretical frameworks for their research and practice.
Table of Contents
Part I: Perspectives on the Field of Health Communication
Ch. 1: Basics of Health Communication Theory
Teresa Thompson and James D. Robinson
Ch. 2: Segmenting Priority Audiences Employing Individual Difference Variables to Improve Health Promotion Efforts
Brian Quick, Tobias Reynolds-Tylus, Salah H. Al-Ghaithi, and Michael Mackert
Ch. 3: When Theory and Methods Intertwine
Jill Yamasaki
Part II: Perspectives on Dyads and Groups
Ch. 4: Interpersonal Health Communication Theories
Maria Brann, Jennifer Bute, Maureen Keeley, Sandra Petronio, Rachyl Pines, and Bernadette Watson
Ch. 5: Families Interacting in the Health Care Context
Maureen Keeley and Hannah Jones
Ch. 6: Theoretical Frameworks of Provider-Patient Interaction
Peter J. Schulz and Shaohai Jiang
Part III: Perspectives on Influence Processes
Ch. 7: Information-Processing and Cognitive Theories
Monique Mitchell Turner, Youjin Jang, and Shawn Turner
Ch. 8: Theories of Affective Impact
Robin Nabi
Ch. 9: Theories of Behavior
Marco Yzer and Rebekah Nagler
Ch. 10: Theories of Message Effects
James Robinson, Yan Tian, and Jeanine Warisse-Turner
Part IV: Perspectives on Organisations and Society
Ch. 11: Social Psychological Influences on Health Communication: An Examination of Four Theories
Yanqin Liu and Anthony Roberto
Ch. 12: Theories of Public Relations
Arunima Krishna
Ch. 13: Theories of Uncertainty
Austin S. Babrow, Marianne S. Matthias, Sarah M. Parsloe, and Anne M. Stone
Ch. 14: Cultural Theories of Health Communication
Evelyn Ho and Barbara Sharf
Ch. 15: Effects of Digital Media Technology on Health Communication
Shyam Sundar and Maria D. Molinar
Part V: Perspectives on the Future
Ch. 16: Directions in Health Communication Theory
Dannielle Kelley and Brian Southwell
