Participation Type
Paper
Session Title
Session 8.08 Health, Mental Health, Poverty, and Activism
Presentation #1 Title
What is Fatalism? A Conceptual Evaluation of Fatalism and Its Outcomes In Rural Appalachia
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Fatalism is defined as a doctrine that events are fixed in advance so that human beings are powerless to change them. Rural communities are often described as fatalistic. Rural Appalachia is no different. The problem with this definition, and its subsequent assumptions, is that they are not inherently linked to any certain behavior or attitude, or the outcome that results from that behavior or attitude. Little empirical evidence has been amassed to define the variable or investigate whether it is differentially present in Appalachia, versus other rurally-dominated regions. Possible contributing factors and their research supported outcomes will be discussed and a testable model of fatalism will be proposed. The manner in which the model may be useful in future research will be discussed focusing on concerning predictors and potential interventions, and resources necessary to encourage more productive cultural attitudes will be considered. This presentation will also consider the cultural changes in Appalachia across recent generations to consider how fatalistic attitudes may have changed over recent generations.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
J.P. Van Horn is a doctoral student at Marshall University. He received his undergraduate degree from West Liberty University, and his masters degree from Marshall University.
What is Fatalism? A Conceptual Evaluation of Fatalism and Its Outcomes In Rural Appalachia
Harris Hall 236
Fatalism is defined as a doctrine that events are fixed in advance so that human beings are powerless to change them. Rural communities are often described as fatalistic. Rural Appalachia is no different. The problem with this definition, and its subsequent assumptions, is that they are not inherently linked to any certain behavior or attitude, or the outcome that results from that behavior or attitude. Little empirical evidence has been amassed to define the variable or investigate whether it is differentially present in Appalachia, versus other rurally-dominated regions. Possible contributing factors and their research supported outcomes will be discussed and a testable model of fatalism will be proposed. The manner in which the model may be useful in future research will be discussed focusing on concerning predictors and potential interventions, and resources necessary to encourage more productive cultural attitudes will be considered. This presentation will also consider the cultural changes in Appalachia across recent generations to consider how fatalistic attitudes may have changed over recent generations.
