Children's health and the social theory of risk: insights from the British measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) controversy.

Children's health and the social theory of risk: insights from the British measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) controversy. Research Abstract Details 

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Children's health and the social theory of risk: insights from the British measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) controversy. Abstract Text:

Rachel Elizabeth Casiday,

Recent debates in the United Kingdom about the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine and its alleged link with autism have centred on contested notions of risk. This paper presents findings from 87 parents' focus group and interview discussions of their decision-making about the vaccine in light of three streams of theoretical literature on risk (cultural theory, risk society, psychometric models of risk perception) and models of vaccination acceptance and resistance. In addition to the risks of infectious disease and autism, parents balanced other risk concerns-both biological and social-in making their decisions. Such decisions, made on behalf of children unable to choose for themselves, and in the midst of contradictory information and uncertainty, symbolised what it means to be a 'good parent'. To cope with uncertainty, parents sought explanations for why some children seem to be more vulnerable to adverse outcomes than others. Debates about children's risks may need special theoretical consideration beyond that offered by the current risk literature. Specific aspects of the MMR debate, namely, selecting between potentially competing risks, making risk judgements on behalf of dependent others, and tensions between private and public good, provide a platform for exploring how social theories of risk might be adapted for children's health controversies.

Children's health and the social theory of risk: insights from the British measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) controversy. Publishing Authors By Initials

RE Casiday,

For similar behavior and behavior mechanisms: psychology, social: interpersonal relations: trust research abstracts see: behavior and behavior mechanisms: psychology, social: interpersonal relations: trust research

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Children's health and the social theory of risk: insights from the British measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) controversy. Journal Published:

PUBLICATION TYPE: Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov

Journal: Social science & medicine (1982)

VOLUME: 65

Page Numbers: 1059-70

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ISSN: 0277-9536

DAY: 30

MONTH: 05

YEAR: 2007

Children's health and the social theory of risk: insights from the British measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) controversy. Information

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LANGUAGE: eng

NlmUniqueID: 8303205

Children's health and the social theory of risk: insights from the British measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) controversy. Keywords Mesh Terms:

KEYWORDS: Trust

MESH TERMS: contraindications

Chemical & Substance for Abstract: Children's health and the social theory of risk: insights from the British measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) controversy. Information

Substance Name: Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine

Registry Number: 0

Grant and Affiliation Information for Children's health and the social theory of risk: insights from the British measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) controversy.

AFFILIATION: University of Durham, Stockton-on-Tees, UK. r.e.casiday@durham.ac.uk

Country: England

AGENCY: United Kingdom Wellcome T

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MEDLINETA: Soc Sci Med

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