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Clark EM, Ma L, Rigdon SE, Williams BR, Park CL, Ghosh D, Woodard N, Knott CL. Identifying Variation in Physical Health Behaviors and Depressive Symptoms among Religiosity Clusters of African American Adults in the United States. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2024:10.1007/s10943-024-02074-9. [PMID: 38970680 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-024-02074-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Religiosity is an important factor in the lives of many African Americans, who suffer a greater health burden than their White counterparts. In this study, we examined associations between dimensions of religiosity with health behaviors and depressive symptoms in a sample of African American adults in the United States. Participants (N = 2086) completed five measures of religiosity (religious involvement, positive and negative religious coping, scriptural influence, belief in illness as punishment for sin) and measures of several health behaviors, cancer screening behaviors, and depressive symptoms. Using cluster analysis to examine the deep structure of religiosity, three clusters emerged: Positive Religious, Negative Religious, and Low Religious. In general, the Positive Religious group engaged in more healthy behaviors (e.g., fruit and vegetable consumption, fecal occult blood test) and fewer risky health behaviors (e.g., smoke and consume alcohol), and reported fewer depressive symptoms than did the Negative Religious and/or Low Religious groups. Theoretical implications and implications for interventions by clergy and mental health professionals are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eddie M Clark
- Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University, Morrissey Hall, 3700 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO, 63108, USA.
| | - Lijing Ma
- Department of Psychology, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Steven E Rigdon
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Beverly R Williams
- Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care of the Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Crystal L Park
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut - Storrs, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Debarchana Ghosh
- Department of Geography, University of Connecticut - Storrs, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Nathaniel Woodard
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Cheryl L Knott
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
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Best AL, Fletcher FE, Kadono M, Warren RC. Institutional Distrust among African Americans and Building Trustworthiness in the COVID-19 Response: Implications for Ethical Public Health Practice. J Health Care Poor Underserved 2021; 32:90-98. [PMID: 33678683 PMCID: PMC7988507 DOI: 10.1353/hpu.2021.0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
African Americans are disproportionately affected by COVID-19-related disease and mortality due to long-standing social, political, economic, and environmental injustice; and COVID-19 inequities are exacerbated by institutional distrust. In the absence of trust, public health authorities have not adequately fulfilled their professional and ethical obligations to protect African American communities from the negative effects of COVID-19. As institutional distrust is shaped by individual and collective experiences of untrustworthiness, we propose a paradigm shift from increasing trust among African Americans to increasing trustworthiness among medical and public health institutions/systems throughout the United States. This narrative review extends the literature describing how social determinants contribute to COVID-19 inequities by demonstrating how institutional distrust develops over time and is reinforced through systems of injustice. Additionally, we illustrate consequences of institutional distrust for COVID-19 inequities and provide recommendations for building trustworthiness through ethical public health practice.
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Davis CM. Health Beliefs and Breast Cancer Screening Practices Among African American Women in California. INTERNATIONAL QUARTERLY OF COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION 2020; 41:259-266. [DOI: 10.1177/0272684x20942084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background African American women continue to have higher mortality rates of breast cancer when compared to other women, and evidence suggests that early detection of breast cancer can lead to favorable outcomes, yet there remains a paucity of literature about health beliefs and the utilization of three screening practices, namely breast self-examination, clinical breast examination and mammography in California, a state that currently has one of the highest breast cancer mortality rates among African American women. Purpose To investigate the relationship between health beliefs and three breast cancer detection practices, e.g. breast self-examination, clinical breast examination, and mammography in a cohort of African American women. Methods Using a descriptive correlational design, a convenience sample of two hundred and eighty-two (n = 282) self-identified women from six regional chapters of a national Black women’s political organization in California, completed a Demographic Data Questionnaire and Champion’s Health Belief Model Scale which assessed the hypothesized relationships of health beliefs and breast cancer detection practices. Results Among this culturally diverse group of women (49.8% American, 28.8% African, 21.4% West Indian), health motivation was positively related to the practice of BSE and annual physician visitation for clinical breast examinations. Health locus of control was positively related to the practice of BSE. Having relatives and friends who were diagnosed with breast cancer was strongly associated with having a mammogram and annual physician visitation for clinical breast examinations. Conclusion These findings may be used to target and develop interventions that are tailored to the unique characteristics of these diverse women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia M. Davis
- Department of Nursing, Center for Promotion of Health Disparities Research and Training, California State University San Bernardino
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Best AL, Thompson EL, Adamu AM, Logan R, Delva J, Thomas M, Cunningham E, Vamos C, Daley E. Examining the Influence of Religious and Spiritual Beliefs on HPV Vaccine Uptake Among College Women. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2019; 58:2196-2207. [PMID: 31352665 PMCID: PMC7003292 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-019-00890-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is an effective mechanism to prevent HPV-associated cancers; however, uptake is low among women aged 18-26. Religiosity/spirituality is associated with sexual health decision-making. This study examined the role of religious/spiritual beliefs on HPV vaccination among college women (N = 307) using logistic regression and mediation analyses. Findings indicate that sexual activity is the main factor associated with HPV vaccination; and sexual activity fully mediates the relationship between religious/spiritual beliefs and HPV vaccination. Health promotion efforts should highlight the importance of HPV vaccination regardless of current sexual activity and may benefit from partnerships with religious/spiritual organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia L Best
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
| | - Erika L Thompson
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Systems, School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - Abdullahi Musa Adamu
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Rachel Logan
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Jennifer Delva
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Manuela Thomas
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Eden Cunningham
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Cheryl Vamos
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Ellen Daley
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
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Eck KM, Delaney CL, Olfert MD, Shelnutt KP, Byrd-Bredbenner C. "If my family is happy, then I am happy": Quality-of-life determinants of parents of school-age children. SAGE Open Med 2019; 7:2050312119828535. [PMID: 30746145 PMCID: PMC6360638 DOI: 10.1177/2050312119828535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Obesity is a public health concern for children and adults and effective obesity prevention programming is needed urgently. The effectiveness of health-related messaging and interventions is influenced by the way content is framed. HomeStyles is an obesity prevention program, which aims to promote health through the frame of improved quality of life. METHODS Thus, focus groups were conducted with English- and Spanish-speaking parents of school-aged children (ages 6-11) to identify key quality-of-life determinants as described by parents. RESULTS Parents (n = 158) reported that their quality of life was influenced by family happiness and parent and child health (e.g. adequate sleep, exercise, healthy diet). Many parents expressed that their busy schedules and lack of family time were detrimental to their quality of life. Work-life balance and financial stability were other factors commonly noted to impact quality of life. Spanish-speaking parents also reported being undocumented and feeling a lack of a sense of community negatively influenced their quality of life. CONCLUSION Considering parent-defined quality-of-life determinants when framing health-related messaging and developing interventions may increase participant interest and ultimately improve health-related behaviors. Next steps in the HomeStyles project include using parent-reported quality-of-life determinants to guide the development of intervention materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn M Eck
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Colleen L Delaney
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Melissa D Olfert
- Department of Animal and Nutritional Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Karla P Shelnutt
- Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Padela AI, Malik S, Vu M, Quinn M, Peek M. Developing religiously-tailored health messages for behavioral change: Introducing the reframe, reprioritize, and reform ("3R") model. Soc Sci Med 2018; 204:92-99. [PMID: 29602091 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Revised: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE As community health interventions advance from being faith-placed to authentically faith-based, greater discussion is needed about the theory, practice, and ethics of delivering health messages embedded within a religious worldview. While there is much potential to leverage religion to promote health behaviors and improve health outcomes, there is also a risk of co-opting religious teachings for strictly biomedical ends. OBJECTIVE To describe the development, implementation, and ethical dimensions of a conceptual model for religiously-tailoring health messages. METHOD We used data from 6 focus groups and 19 interviews with women aged 40 and older sampled from diverse Muslim community organizations to map out how religious beliefs and values impact mammography-related behavioral, normative and control beliefs. These beliefs were further grouped into those that enhance mammography intention (facilitators) and those that impede intention (barriers). In concert with a multi-disciplinary advisory board, and by drawing upon leading theories of health behavior change, we developed the "3R" model for crafting religiously-tailored health messages. RESULTS The 3R model addresses barrier beliefs, which are beliefs that negatively impact adopting a health behavior, by (i) reframing the belief within a relevant religious worldview, (ii) reprioritizing the belief by introducing another religious belief that has greater resonance with participants, and (iii) reforming the belief by uncovering logical flaws and/or theological misinterpretations. These approaches were used to create messages for a peer-led, mosque-based, educational intervention designed to improve mammography intention among Muslim women. CONCLUSIONS There are benefits and potential ethical challenges to using religiously tailored messages to promote health behaviors. Our theoretically driven 3R model aids interventionists in crafting messages that address beliefs that hinder healthy behaviors. It is particularly useful in the context of faith-based interventions for it highlights the ethical choices that must be made when incorporating religious values and beliefs in tailored messages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aasim I Padela
- Initiative on Islam and Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago IL, USA; Section of Emergency Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago IL, USA; Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Chicago, Chicago IL, USA.
| | - Sana Malik
- Initiative on Islam and Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago IL, USA; School of Social Welfare, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Milkie Vu
- Initiative on Islam and Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago IL, USA
| | - Michael Quinn
- Section of General Internal Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago IL, USA
| | - Monica Peek
- Section of General Internal Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago IL, USA
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