The Relationship Between Symbolic Interactionism and Interpretive Description

Abstract

In this article I explore the relationship between symbolic interactionist theory and interpretive description methodology. The two are highly compatible, making symbolic interactionism an excellent theoretical framework for interpretive description studies. The pragmatism underlying interpretive description supports locating the methodology within this cross-disciplinary theory to make it more attractive to nonnursing researchers and expand its potential to address practice problems across the applied disciplines. The theory and method are so compatible that symbolic interactionism appears to be part of interpretive description's epistemological foundations. Interpretive description's theoretical roots have, to date, been identified only very generally in interpretivism and the philosophy of nursing. A more detailed examination of its symbolic interactionist heritage furthers the contextualization or forestructuring of the methodology to meet one of its own requirements for credibility.

Family Experiences and Perspectives on Infection Prevention in Pediatric Long-Term Care

“…Simultaneous collection and preliminary analysis of data facilitated an iterative process in which participants’ feedback added new discussion topics to those selected a priori. This improves the quality of interviews as they happen, and as noted by Oliver (2012), Interpretive Description “replicates clinical reasoning as the researcher compares individual instances with each other and with their context and alternates between asking ‘what is going on?’ and ‘how does this relate to what else is known?’” (p. 412). Data collection continued until thematic saturation was reached at 10 participants.…”

Adopting a multi-faith orientation in theory and practice

“…In symbolic interactionism, a strong focus is on how we interpret our circumstances and choose one course or "line of action" over another (Oliver, 2011). For example, when a chaplain who is wearing a clerical collar enters the room of a patient, the patient will have an immediate reaction.…”

“…In symbolic interactionism, a strong focus is on how we interpret our circumstances and choose one course or "line of action" over another (Oliver, 2011). Participants in the study each talked about the various symbols and rituals that helped them to define the ACPE.…”

“…To those not of the Muslim or Christian faiths, these symbols will hold different meaning and may evoke emotions based on experiences. Individuals and society are in a constant state of flux as our definitions of each moment shift through the continuous dialectical process of interpretation and action (Oliver, 2011).…”

“…Experiences with these symbols evoked emotional responses from the participants, but it was also noted by the participants that reactions to and appreciation of the named symbols would likely differ among members of various faith traditions. Individuals and society are in a constant state of flux as our definitions of each moment shift through the continuous dialectical process of interpretation and action (Oliver, 2011).…”