The stereotype of ‘working-class fatalism’ and the challenge for primary care health promotion

Data from a sample of 204 lower-working-class women in South Wales are used to explore the issue of fatalism among groups of low socioeconomic status by focusing on their belief about their present health status, especially the factors perceived to hinder or facilitate the attainment of perfect health. It is argued that such research findings are capable of different interpretations depending on the reader's perspective and beliefs, and that the primary care professionals face special problems in translating data about social groups into information that can be used to help a particular individual in a clinical context. In particular, insensitive stereotyping can hinder effective health promotion. The method used to elicit beliefs in a research setting is proposed as a potentially useful tool for the consultation.