Childbirth and Infant Development Knowledge Gaps in Interpersonal Settings

The knowledge gap hypothesis predicts that infusions of information into an environment will lead to knowledge gain by groups with higher socioeconomic status (SES) at rates that outpace the knowledge gain of lower SES groups, leading to a growing relative gap between them. Four information source v...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of health communication 1998-01, Vol.3 (1), p.29-51
Main Authors: Gaziano, C, O'Leary, J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Attitude to Health
Biological and medical sciences
Child Development
Communication
Educational Status
Employment
Female
General aspects
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Health technology assessment
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Interpersonal Relations
Labor, Obstetric
Male
Medical sciences
Minnesota
Northern Ireland
Parents
Planification. Prevention (methods). Intervention. Evaluation
Pregnancy
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Social Class
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Summary:The knowledge gap hypothesis predicts that infusions of information into an environment will lead to knowledge gain by groups with higher socioeconomic status (SES) at rates that outpace the knowledge gain of lower SES groups, leading to a growing relative gap between them. Four information source variables were examined in the present study: education, baby care experience, friend and relative networks, and interpersonal communication in a parent education setting. Study subjects were mothers and fathers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and mothers in Belfast, Northern Ireland. In the sample, the classic pattern of widening gaps due to education was not supported by time trend data, although one-time data showed gaps. The interpersonal communication condition contributed most to knowledge levels and to widened knowledge gaps.
ISSN:1081-0730
1087-0415
DOI:10.1080/108107398127490