Lifestyle Perspective Research Articles

Media Portrayal of Disease from the Medical, Political Economy, and Life-Style Perspectives

There are three competing explanations of disease and its treatment: the medical, life-style, and political economy models. Each of these models is used as a presupposition for health policy. The mass media are one source of information about disease and health policy. This research examines the incidence of each of these models of disease in the portrayal of cancer, heart disease, and AIDS in six mass-circulating magazines from 1980 to 1987.

Age at first experience of intercourse among Norwegian adolescents: A lifestyle perspective

Age at first intercourse among Norwegian adolescents was studied by means of survival analysis. The data stemmed from a nation-wide survey of 3000 Norwegian adolescents aged 17–19, yielding a response rate of 61.8%. Median age at first intercourse was 17.3 years among girls and 18.0 years among boys. By means of Cox regression analysis associations between age at onset of intercourse and some correlates were estimated. Age at first intercourse was significantly associated with educational aspirations, smoking behaviour, alcohol consumption, peer affiliation, and frequency of visiting a discotheque. These inter-relationships confirm that age at onset of intercourse comprise an important indicator of the lifestyle of an individual. In order to influence sexual behaviour of adolescents it may thus be appropriate to employ health promotion activities focusing upon environmental and structural factors, as a supplement to traditional methods of sex education.

Age and Involvement in Sport and Physical Activity

This paper focuses on how age affects involvement in sport and physical activity. Investigated are questions related to how age differences in perceived barriers and outcomes to involvement in sport and physical activity, socioeconomic status, and sport philosophy/ideology affect joining a corporate versus a private sport and fitness program. A developmental lifestyle perspective is offered as the theoretical premise on which interpretations of the data are based. Findings from this study clearly show that reasons for involvement in sport and physical activity vary across the life cycle. At younger ages the psychological benefits associated with work related stress are perceived as the most important reason for involvement. During middle age, philosophical and ideological reasons begin to determine the setting where involvement in these programs takes place. Finally, for older individuals, philosophical differences along with socioeconomic factors determine both the extent and where involvement occurs.

Lifestyle and routine activity theories of crime: Empirical studies of victimization, delinquency, and offender decision-making

The papers in this special issue of the Journal of Quantitative Criminology focus on lifestyle or routine activity theories of crime. Most examine victimization, although two authors apply the lifestyle perspective to offending. The general nature of this evolving body of theory will be familiar to most readers. But for the record, and for the benefit of those less familiar, this introductory essay briefly discusses the meaning of lifestyle and routine activity theories and sets the stage for the substantive contribu tions. Readers interested in an exhaustive and definitive exposition or in a detailed critique of various formulations and tests of lifestyle theories will have to look elsewhere [see Garofalo (1987) for an excellent summary]. What people do, how they behave, places them at more or less risk of criminal victimization. Stated so directly this seems like little more than common sense. In much the same way, routine behavior "explains" how people avoid or suffer many other misfortunes. Careful drivers are at less risk of auto accidents, careless smokers stand a greater chance of setting fire to the house, coal miners suffer disproportionately from pulmonary disease, and mariners are more likely to drown than, say, mountain climbers. The next section tries to impose some order on the various names and terms that have attached themselves to the lifestyle theory of personal victimization developed by Hindelang et al. (1978). Discussion then turns to certain themes that have emerged in previous empirical studies. The final section describes how the papers presented in this issue contribute to lifestyle theory and introduces James Lynch's concept of activity domains.

Strategic retail fashion market positioning: A comparative analysis

Market positioning is perhaps the greatest strategic problem facing the fashion retailer in today's dynamic retail environment. Branded merchandise and changing consumer perceptions/lifestyles make continual market monitoring essential. This study explores explores the dynamics of market positioning in the home fashion arena, as viewed from a consumer lifestyle perspective. Implications for more effective home fashion market positioning by department, specialty, and mass merchandising outlets are also given.

Identifying Interurban Shoppers: Multiproduct Purchase Patterns and Segmentation Profiles

The authors suggest that there is more than one type of outshopper, each type motivated by needs emanating from unique socioeconomic, life cycle, and life style perspectives. These concepts are tested with an empirical classification of outshoppers. The relationships revealed have important implications for marketers in the process of (1) developing local retail facilities and appeals to reduce loss of customers to other trade areas and (2) designing retail programs to attract consumers from contiguous trade areas.