Social Context Variables Research Articles

The role of social context in risky decision-making: Presence of friend and low resistance to peer influence increase risky decision-making.

Following sociocultural and personality theory, the current study addresses the need to investigate the influence of the social context and related personality variables on risky decision-making. Risky decision-making was assessed in six daily-life scenarios in a sample of 357 adult participants, ages 18-75. Scenarios differed regarding competition (competitive vs. non-competitive) and presence of others (alone, with friends, or with acquaintances). Additionally, the personality variables ego-strength, agreeableness, and resistance-to-peer influence as well as demographic variables were assessed. Results showed that participants made more risky decisions in the non-competitive scenarios and in the scenarios when they were accompanied by a friend compared to when they were alone. Regression analyses revealed that men made more risky decisions than women. High resistance-to-peer influence and agreeableness whereas related to fewer risky decisions. Overall, results showed the strong influence of social and personality factors on risky decision-making which could have implications for prevention programmes. Further, these results show that a pure cognitive approach to the study of risky decision-making is too narrow. Considering cognition, social context, and personality traits together seems to be a promising approach for the study of risky daily-life decisions.

Association between women's autonomy and unintended pregnancy in India

Multiple studies from low- and middle-income countries have indicated that women's autonomy can play a key role in reducing unintended pregnancy. Such evidence is scarce in Indian context, where patriarchy prevails, and sociocultural norms limit women's participation in important decisions. Therefore, the primary aim of this study is to examine the association between women's autonomy and unintended pregnancy in India. Data collected as part of the National Family Health Survey-4 conducted in 2015-16 are used for the analysis. Information on a total of 205984 ever-married women was extracted from 699686 women aged 15–49 years. Bivariate logistic regression was used to examine the association of unintended pregnancy with women's autonomy, demographic, socio-economic, and social context variables. Multiple logistic regression was further employed to assess the effect of women's autonomy on unintended pregnancies after controlling various selected background characteristics. The study found that women's autonomy was a significant predictor of unintended pregnancy after adjusting different other covariates. For example, women with higher autonomy had 16% lower adjusted odds of having an unintended pregnancy than women with lower autonomy (OR adj = 0.84; 95% CI: 0.72–0.99). Moreover, other covariates such as age, children ever born, age at marriage, wealth status, and consonance over fertility exert a significant and robust influence over unintended pregnancy. The study recommends that policymakers design programmes to spread awareness about the importance of the decision-making power of women in household settings.

Predicting Working Memory in Healthy Older Adults Using Real-Life Language and Social Context Information: A Machine Learning Approach.

BackgroundLanguage use and social interactions have demonstrated a close relationship with cognitive measures. It is important to improve the understanding of language use and behavioral indicators from social context to study the early prediction of cognitive decline among healthy populations of older adults.ObjectiveThis study aimed at predicting an important cognitive ability, working memory, of 98 healthy older adults participating in a 4-day-long naturalistic observation study. We used linguistic measures, part-of-speech (POS) tags, and social context information extracted from 7450 real-life audio recordings of their everyday conversations.MethodsThe methods in this study comprise (1) the generation of linguistic measures, representing idea density, vocabulary richness, and grammatical complexity, as well as POS tags with natural language processing (NLP) from the transcripts of real-life conversations and (2) the training of machine learning models to predict working memory using linguistic measures, POS tags, and social context information. We measured working memory using (1) the Keep Track test, (2) the Consonant Updating test, and (3) a composite score based on the Keep Track and Consonant Updating tests. We trained machine learning models using random forest, extreme gradient boosting, and light gradient boosting machine algorithms, implementing repeated cross-validation with different numbers of folds and repeats and recursive feature elimination to avoid overfitting.ResultsFor all three prediction routines, models comprising linguistic measures, POS tags, and social context information improved the baseline performance on the validation folds. The best model for the Keep Track prediction routine comprised linguistic measures, POS tags, and social context variables. The best models for prediction of the Consonant Updating score and the composite working memory score comprised POS tags only.ConclusionsThe results suggest that machine learning and NLP may support the prediction of working memory using, in particular, linguistic measures and social context information extracted from the everyday conversations of healthy older adults. Our findings may support the design of an early warning system to be used in longitudinal studies that collects cognitive ability scores and records real-life conversations unobtrusively. This system may support the timely detection of early cognitive decline. In particular, the use of a privacy-sensitive passive monitoring technology would allow for the design of a program of interventions to enable strategies and treatments to decrease or avoid early cognitive decline.

Assessing equity in health, wealth, and civic engagement: a nationally representative survey, United States, 2020

BackgroundThe principle of equity is fundamental to many current debates about social issues and plays an important role in community and individual health. Traditional research has focused on singular dimensions of equity (e.g., wealth), and often lacks a comprehensive perspective. The goal of this study was to assess relationships among three domains of equity, health, wealth, and civic engagement, in a nationally representative sample of U.S. residents.MethodsWe developed a conceptual framework to guide our inquiry of equity across health, wealth, and civic engagement constructs to generate a broad but nuanced understanding of equity. Through Ipsos’ KnowledgePanel service, we conducted a cross-sectional, online survey between May 29–June 20, 2020 designed to be representative of the adult U.S. population. Based on our conceptual framework, we assessed the population-weighted prevalence of health outcomes and behaviors, as well as measures of wealth and civic engagement. We linked individual-level data with population-level environmental and social context variables. Using structural equation modeling, we developed latent constructs for wealth and civic engagement, to assess associations with a measured health variable.ResultsWe found that the distribution of sociodemographic, health, and wealth measures in our sample (n = 1267) were comparable to those from other national surveys. Our quantitative illustration of the relationships among the domains of health, wealth, and civic engagement provided support for the interrelationships of constructs within our conceptual model. Latent constructs for wealth and civic engagement were significantly correlated (p = 0.013), and both constructs were used to predict self-reported health. Beta coefficients for all indicators of health, wealth, and civic engagement had the expected direction (positive or negative associations).ConclusionThrough development and assessment of our comprehensive equity framework, we found significant associations among key equity domains. Our conceptual framework and results can serve as a guide for future equity research, encouraging a more thorough assessment of equity.

Cold spell effect on daily mortality in districts in Madrid considering sociodemographic variables

Abstract Background While there is much research that focuses on the association between cold spell and their impacts on daily mortality at the city level, we analyze the impact related to social context and demographic variables at levels lower than the municipal. Methods The objective of this study was to determine the role of the percentage of people over age 65, income level and percentage of homes without heating in the analysis of the impact of cold waves on daily mortality between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2013 in different districts of the municipality of Madrid. We calculated Relative Risks (RR) and Attributable Risks (RA) for each of 17 districts to determine correlations between the effect of cold waves and daily mortality due to natural causes (CIEX: A00-R99) using Generalized Linear Models (GLM) of the Poisson family (link log). The pattern of risks obtained by district was analyzed using binomial family models (link logit), considering socioeconomic and demographic variables. Results In terms of results, an impact of cold on mortality was detected in 9 of the 17 districts analyzed. The analysis of risk patterns revealed that the probability of detecting an impact in a district increases in a statistically significant way (p-value <0.05) with a higher percentage of homes without heating systems and a higher percentage of population over age 65. Conclusions The results obtained identify the factors that should be considered in public health policies that target the district level to reduce the impact of cold waves. Key messages Ageing and the absence of heating systems are key variables which explain vulnerability to cold spell. Cold spell related mortality risks can be reduced by applying prevention health public plans.

The Effect of Cold Waves on Mortality in Urban and Rural Areas of Madrid

BACKGROUND AND AIM: While many studies analyze the effect of extreme thermal events on health, little has been written about the effects of extreme cold on mortality of rural population. Therefore, we tries to analyze these effects on urban areas and rural areas from Madrid and to test whether differentiated extreme cold effects exist between both population classes. METHODS: We analyzed data from the municipalities with over 10,000 inhabitants for the period from January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2013. Municipalities were classified as urban or rural (Eurostat), and they were grouped into similar climatological zones. The dependent variable was the daily mortality rate due to natural causes per million inhabitants (CIE-X: A00-R99) that occurred between the months of November and March for the period. The independent variable was minimum daily temperature (ºC). Social and demographic contextual variables were used, including: population age 64 (%), deprivation index and housing indicators. The analysis was carried out in three phases: 1. determination of the threshold temperature which defines the cold waves; 2. Determination of the relative risk (RR) for cold waves using Poisson linear regression (GLM); 3. Using GLM of the binomial family, Odds Ratios (OR) were calculated to analyze the relationship between the frequency of the appearance of cold waves and the socioeconomic variables. RESULTS:The urban zone experienced 585 extreme cold events related to attributable increases in the mortality rate. The average number of cold waves in the rural zones was 319. The primary risk factor was the percentage of population over age 64, and the primary protective factor was housing rehabilitation. Globally, the period experienced more cold waves (1,542) than heat waves (1,130). CONCLUSIONS:The urban zone was more vulnerable than the rural areas. Due to cold spells were more frequent than heat waves, the results support the development of specific prevention plans. KEYWORDS: Cold-spells, mortality, urban-rural, deprivation, building quality, ageing

The Arabic Version of the Walsh Family Resilience Questionnaire : confirmatory Factor Analysis of a Family Resilience Assessment Among Algerian and Iraq Families

ABSTRACT The Family Resilience Questionnaire was developed to assess Walsh’s theoretical model in understanding and fostering resilience in families facing adversity .To provide a useful assessment tool for use in Arab cultures, this study aimed at confirming the validity and factor structure of the Arabic translation of the Walsh Family Resilience Questionnaire through confirmatory factor analysis. The study was conducted on a sample of 380 individuals in families in Iraq and Algeria. According to the results of the analysis, the model has good matching and there were no differences in the dimensions of family resilience. Comparison of subjects in Iraq and Algeria found similar ratings for all sub-dimensions except for higher ratings for Iraqi families on three processes: meaning-making of adversity, clear, consistent messages, and collaborative problem-solving. The results support that the WFRQ is valid for use in Algeria and Iraq, and the results were discussed in the light of social context variables.

Life meaning in a social context among formerly homeless residents of permanent supportive housing

ABSTRACT Objective: Experiencing a life of meaning is considered fundamental to “what makes life worth living,” yet investigation of life meaning among persons with lived experiences of homelessness is lacking. This study seeks to understand life meaning among formerly homeless residents of permanent supportive housing through an examination of its association with social context. Method: Data were collected through interviews with 383 persons with experience of chronic homelessness who were provided permanent supportive housing (PSH). Recruitment of participants occurred through partnerships with 26 providers of PSH in Los Angeles County, California. Multivariate logistic regression models were employed to understand association of life meaning with hypothesized social contextual variables, controlling for demographic and background characteristics. Results: Community integration and sense of belonging were significantly and positively associated with life meaning, consistent with findings from previous research involving persons not identified as experiencing homelessness. Conclusions: Findings suggest opportunities for service providers to facilitate life meaning among residents of supportive housing. Specific attention to life meaning and its social context is consistent with the World Health Organization’s position that well-being is a significant aspect of health.

The autonomy of public defender's offices: a systematic comparison between Latin American countries

PurposeIn most Latin American countries, the provision of legal assistance to the vulnerable population is carried out by public defender's offices (PDOs), agencies composed of state-paid career lawyers. The aim of this paper is to explain the cross-country variation in regarding the autonomy levels of Latin American PDOs.Design/methodology/approachA scale to measure autonomy was built allowing access to the autonomy of sixteen different PDOs. Data were gathered through content analysis of the statutes that organize the PDOs and analyzed through qualitative comparative analysis (QCA).FindingsThe results demonstrate different levels of autonomy among Latin American PDOs. Furthermore, conditions related to institutional and social contexts, such as levels of income, human development, democracy, and the complexity of the political systems, presented sufficient relationships for high levels of autonomy.Research limitations/implicationsIt was not possible to interview representatives of the PDOs analyzed. This could help the interpretation of the legislation applied to PDOs, as well as the observation of regulations that may not have come to the knowledge of researchers. Thus, analyses were made according to what was observed in the legislation of each country. It is also noteworthy that this research covered only nationwide PDOs, not involving subnational PDOs. In addition, the data have only internal validity, and cannot be extrapolated to the population.Practical implicationsThe creation of a scale to measure the autonomy of public agencies stands out as an original comparative data set of PDOs covering a large amount of Latin American countries.Social implicationsThis study was able to characterize the institutional arrangements of sixteen national PDOs, allowing broad comparison between legal aid agencies for the vulnerable population in a region of the world that still suffers from high levels of poverty.Originality/valueThe article presents possible explanations on the variations of PDOs' level of autonomy, showing PDOs' idiosyncrasies, whose autonomy is influenced also by social context variables, in view of the nature of their mission. It should be noted that factors related to the social context are not widely considered by the literature on autonomy of public agencies.

The effect of cold waves on mortality in urban and rural areas of Madrid

BackgroundWhile many studies analyze the effect of extreme thermal events on health, little has been written about the effects of extreme cold on mortality. This scarcity of papers is particularly relevant when we search studies about extreme cold on the health of rural population. Therefore, we tried to analyze the effect of cold waves on urban areas and rural areas from Madrid and to test whether differentiated effects exist between both population classes. For this purpose, we analyzed data from the municipalities with over 10,000 inhabitants for the period from January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2013. Municipalities were classified as urban or rural (Eurostat), and they were grouped into similar climatological zones: Urban Metropolitan Centre (UMC), Rural Northern Mountains (RNM), Rural Centre (RC) and Southern Rural (SR). The dependent variable was the daily mortality rate due to natural causes per million inhabitants (CIE-X: A00-R99) that occurred between the months of November and March for the period. The independent variable was minimum daily temperature (ºC) (Tmin). Social and demographic contextual variables were used, including: population > age 64 (%), deprivation index and housing indicators. The analysis was carried out in three phases: (1) determination of the threshold temperature (Tthreshold) which defines the cold waves; (2) determination of the relative risk (RR) for cold waves using Poisson linear regression (GLM); and (3) using GLM of the binomial family, Odds Ratios (OR) were calculated to analyze the relationship between the frequency of the appearance of cold waves and the socioeconomic variables.ResultsThe UMC zone experienced 585 extreme cold events related to attributable increases in the mortality rate. The average number of cold waves in the rural zones was 319. The primary risk factor was the percentage of population over age 64, and the primary protective factor was housing rehabilitation. As a whole, the period experienced more cold waves (1542) than heat waves (1130).ConclusionThe UMC was more vulnerable than the rural areas. Furthermore, the results support the development of prevention policies, especially considering the fact that cold wave events were more frequent than heat waves.

Support provided by elderly in Italy: a hierarchical analysis of ego networks controlling for alter-overlapping.

Providing support outside the household can be considered an actual sign of an active social life for the elderly. Adopting an ego–network perspective, we study support Italian elders provide to kin or non–kin. More specifically, using Italian survey data, we build the ego–centered networks of social contacts elders entertain and the ego–networks of support elders provide to other non–cohabitant kin or non–kin. Since ego–network data are inherently multilevel, we use Bayesian multilevel models to analyze variation in support ties, controlling for the characteristics of elders and their contacts. This modeling strategy enables dealing with sparseness and alter–alter overlap in the ego support network data and to disentangle the effects related to the ego (the elder), the dyad ego–alter, the kind of support provided, as well as social contacts and contextual variables. The results suggest that the elderly in Italy who provide support outside their household — compared to all elders in the sample — are younger, healthier, more educated, and embedded in a more diversified ego–network of social contacts. The latter also conveys both the type and the recipient of the support, with the elderly who entertain few relationships with kin being more prone to provide aid to non–kin. Further, a “peer homophily” effect in directing elder support to a non–kin is also found.

Unveiling the endogeneity between social-welfare and labor efficiency: Two-stage NDEA neural network approach

This paper estimates intersectoral labor efficiencies and its covariances in Brazil from 2003 to 2016 using a two-stage neural network model. It investigates whether there is a positive relationship between education and productivity. At the first stage, a static Markov chain regression provides labor quantitative efficiency (volume) and labor value efficiency (value added). The second stage runs a dynamic regression model between each estimated efficiency and the social contextual variables to unveil endogeneities from covariances among the variables set. Strong covariances are found between the efficiencies and fertility rate, suggesting that there is a relevant gap between the productive sector and worker qualification, leading to lower levels of efficiency in Brazil, as shown in the theoretical model. The economy is unable to allocate efficiently the stock of qualified workers.

Antecedents to Secondary-Like Psychopathy in Noninstitutionalized Youth

ABSTRACT Secondary-like psychopathy in youth is often recognized in research as being the more problematic of the psychopathy variants. Little is known about the emergence of this variant in spite of early theory describing possible antecedents to the condition. The present research sought to evaluate these possible precursors among those resembling the secondary-like variant of psychopathy in a noninstitutionalized sample of youth. Findings from a probit path model examining data spanning several waves indicated that social context variables (poverty and maternal education), authoritarian parenting practices, and parent–child attachment were implicated in later downstream secondary-like psychopathy in mid-adolescence. Findings, implications and directions for future research are discussed.

A socio-technological model of search information divide in US cities

PurposeThe purpose of the current study is to theorize and apply a socio-technological model – the powerful influence of social determinants in conditioning the effects of information attention on social outcomes. Fundamentally, this study is motivated by the idea that the social determinants of information flow can be used as a predictive tool to inform public socio-policy decisions.Design/methodology/approachThis study draws upon digital disparity literature and uses publicly available Google search queries in exploring online information attention and its relationships to the HIV/AIDS diffusion in US cities. This study’s secondary data collected from extant sources is used to draw attention to a holistic urban ecology under which online search attention represents the variation of information access at the aggregate level.FindingsThe main finding shows that online information attention, as indicated by search trend, is far from being a simple predictor, but operates in complex interactions with existing social environments. A bivariate correlation between AIDS information search and AIDS diffusion rate was found to be significant. However, predictive multivariate models displayed robust effects of social contextual variables, such as income level and racial composition of cities, in moderating the effect of online search information flow.Practical implicationsThe importance of these insights is discussed for reducing socio-health disparities at the macro-social level, and policymakers and health administrators are recommended to incubate supportive online infrastructure as an effective preventive measure at the time of a crisis.Originality/valueThe unique contribution of this study is the premise that looks at the aggregate-ecological contour of cities within which the potential benefits of information occur, instead of examining the isolated function of mediated information per se. In this vein, online information search, in lieu of the exposure to mass media message that is often measured via self-reported items, is a particularly unique and fruitful area of future inquiry that this study promotes.

Relationships between sleep and internalizing problems in early adolescence: Results from Canadian National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth

BackgroundBoth inadequate sleep and internalizing problems, such as symptoms of anxiety and depression, are prevalent among adolescents with sparse epidemiological literature outlining sex-specific relationships at this critical age. ObjectiveTo examine cross-sectional and prospective relationships between self-reported sleep problems, indicated by sleep duration, difficulties getting to sleep and changes in difficulties getting to sleep with internalizing problems in early adolescence. MethodsThis study was a secondary analysis of data from the Canadian National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth. Multivariable linear regression was used to estimate cross-sectional and longitudinal associations. Relevant family and social context variables were controlled for in multivariable analyses. Family functioning was assessed as a potential effect modifier. ResultsThere were 993 and 736 participants [longitudinal cohort entry age of 10 or 11 years; 49% male] in longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses, respectively. Most cross-sectional multivariable analyses of sleep duration and internalizing problems revealed no statistical associations. Difficulties sleeping and concurrent internalizing problems were positively associated in 12/13 year old females (β = 1.77 [0.94, 2.61], R2 = 17%) and males (β = 1.18 [0.36, 2.01], R2 = 16%). High persistent difficulties sleeping in females aged 12/13 to 14/15 years also positively predicted internalizing problems in females age 14/15 years (β = 1.90 [0.52, 3.29], R2 = 21%) while controlling for initial internalizing symptoms. Family functioning was not found to be an effect modifier. ConclusionFindings highlight the potential role of difficulties sleeping for adolescents' mental health. Public health initiatives to promote sleep hygiene in this population subgroup are critical to prevent the potential long-term health impact of sleep problems.

A TEFL-Based Analysis of the Egyptian EFL Students' Production of Refusal and Acceptance Speech Acts

Abstract T he present study measured the Egyptian EFL students' FL pragmatic competence in producing the refusal speech act. It aimed to determine the types of refusal strategies adopted by the Egyptian EFL students. In this regard, data were collected from 60 Egyptian EFL students. Participants were divided into two groups with 30 students each. Group A comprised students who are majoring in English and enrolled at the Department of English whereas group B included students who studied English as an ESP course at the Department of Tourism. Data were collected using a 12-item Oral discourse completion task (Oral DCT) questionnaire. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics like frequencies, mean scores and percentages. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted as well to judge statistical significance between contextual variables and categories of refusal and acceptance strategies. Findings indicated that Egyptian EFL learners varied in adopting acceptance strategies, however they tended to use similar strategies for refusing invitations. The study emphasizes the needs of teaching pragmatic behavior to Egyptian EFL tertiary students. Social contextual variables were found to have statistically significant influence on the selection of refusal and acceptance strategies adopted by Egyptian EFL students.

The effect of cold waves on daily mortality in districts in Madrid considering sociodemographic variables

While there is much research that focuses on the association between cold waves and their impacts on daily mortality at the city level, few analyze the impact related to social context and demographic variables at levels lower than the municipal. The objective of this study was to determine the role of the percentage of people over age 65, income level and percentage of homes without heating in the analysis of the impact of cold waves on daily mortality between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2013 in different districts of the municipality of Madrid. We calculated Relative Risks (RR) and Attributable Risks (RA) for each of 17 districts to determine correlations between the effect of cold waves and daily mortality due to natural causes (CIEX: A00-R99) using Generalized Linear Models (GLM) of the Poisson family (link log). The pattern of risks obtained by district was analyzed using binomial family models (link logit), considering socioeconomic and demographic variables. In terms of results, an impact of cold on mortality was detected in 9 of the 17 districts analyzed. The analysis of risk patterns revealed that the probability of detecting an impact in a district increases in a statistically significant way (p-value <0.05) with a higher percentage of homes without heating systems and a higher percentage of population over age 65. The results obtained identify the factors that should be considered in public health policies that target the district level to reduce the impact of cold waves.

Peer Victimization and Anxiety in Youth: A Moderated Mediation of Peer Perceptions and Social Self-Efficacy

The central objective of the study was to investigate a moderated mediation model addressing social cognitive mechanisms that account for the association between peer victimization and anxiety. A sample of 81 youth ( M age = 12.78, SD = 0.88) completed questionnaires assessing peer victimization, anxiety, social self-efficacy, and peer perceptions. Reports of peer victimization were associated with anxiety symptoms. Moreover, social self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between peer victimization and anxiety. Lastly, the perception of school peers moderated the mediation process between peer victimization and anxiety via social self-efficacy. These findings suggest that social contextual variables (e.g., peer victimization and perception of school peers) and negative self-evaluations (e.g., social self-efficacy) are risk factors for anxiety symptom severity in youth. Limitations and practical implications were discussed.

Landscape characteristics and social factors influencing attitudes toward roadside vegetation management

For the roadside forest, utility vegetation management is a driver of landscape change involving tradeoffs between reliable electric power and preservation of trees. However, little is known about public perceptions of vegetation management in the landscape context. Our objective was to evaluate social and residential context characteristics associated with resident attitudes toward roadside utility vegetation management across Connecticut. We used a mail survey to collect social science data from residents in two study areas in Connecticut. We measured landscape characteristics associated with tree cover and development density at multiple scales around each respondent household. Random forest predictive models were used to assess attitudes toward vegetation management as explained by social and residential context variables. Respondents generally had positive attitudes toward vegetation management, agreeing that it improves public safety and minimizes power outages. Social variables revealed that residents were more likely to have favorable attitudes if they had greater knowledge about trees, believed that trees should be used for human benefits, prioritized reduced power outages over forest aesthetics, and considered changes in the roadside forest to be acceptable. Residential context variables were not as strongly associated with attitudes as social variables, but did rank as important for two out of three attitudes variables. Attitudes toward vegetation management may be influenced by residential context, yet likely are formed independently of it. Spatial heterogeneity of exurban land use and social characteristics suggest encompassing variability in approaches to roadside forest management policy.

Let’s talk about discourse analysis for health professional education: What, why and how

Much of healthcare is facilitated through interactive talk and writing: diagnosing, collaboratively making treatment decisions, conducting treatment, coordinating care, handing over care. For junior health professionals, learning the valued patterns of talk and writing—the discursive practices of healthcare—is part of becoming a health professional. Discourse analysis of texts, written and spoken, can make visible to health professional educators what the valued interactional patterns are and how junior members learn the discursive practices through interaction with more senior colleagues. It can also illuminate “troubles” in communication, such as barriers, power imbalances and misalignment. Doing discourse analysis requires an understanding of how texts work and a meaningful, systematic approach to representing and analysing data. This paper introduces genre theory, a form of discourse analysis that distinguishes between text types according to their social purpose and contextual variables, including what the text is about, who is involved and how the text is organised. This paper outlines some principles of genre analysis and practical “how to” guidelines. It also provides suggestions about how findings of genre analysis can inform teaching in health professional education.