"Le tengo fe" How do women's networks influence the health competence of Latina immigrant mothers living in a rural Midwestern state?

..............................................................................................iv CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION........................................................................1 Background and Context..............................................................................1 Statement of Purpose and Research Questions.....................................................4 Research Approach....................................................................................5 Significance..............................................................................................5 Organization of the Thesis.............................................................................6 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW..............................................................8 Latinos and Health.....................................................................................8 Latina Immigrants and Health........................................................................13 Seeking Health Care: Folk and Western Medical Systems......................................19 Theoretical Frameworks..............................................................................27 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY.....................................................................35 Introduction............................................................................................35 Rationale for Feminist Research Approach.......................................................37 Rationale for Study Population.....................................................................38 Research Design......................................................................................42 Methods of Data Collection.........................................................................44 Method of Data Analysis and Synthesis...........................................................49 Ethical Considerations...............................................................................52 Trustworthiness.......................................................................................52