The Role of the Faith Community Nurse in Weight Management

Potential influences of religiosity and religious coping strategies on people with diabetes

Diabetes is a significant health issue that threatens patients’ overall wellbeing and quality of life. Critical public health concerns center on creating the best approach for diabetes management. Patients and caregivers have different approaches to diabetes management; however, this and the associated physiological, physical and mental health issues remain challenging. This review explores the potential influences of religiosity and religious coping strategies on people with diabetes. This study used a literature review approach to investigate how religiosity and religious coping strategies can influence the effective management of diabetes among patients. Based on the literature search, the researchers were able to identify and cite published papers that were analyzed using the descriptive-narrative analysis. An important goal of the descriptive-narrative analysis was to provide descriptions of the selected literature and take implications from the literature. The results of studies reviewed show some religious coping strategies for managing chronic diseases such as diabetes. The studies did establish a relationship between religiosity and diabetes management and suggest that religious coping strategies could positively impact the management of diabetes; however, they reported some adverse effects. Hence, we propose a pathway for the development of religion-oriented interventions and support framework for the management of diabetes.

Faith Community Nursing: Improving Self-Care in Minority Church Members Through Patient Activation

ABSTRACT

Spirituality and faith, which are cornerstones of African American churches, also create a receptive setting for health improvement activities. This article presents participant responses to a health improvement intervention to promote church members' self-care. Using the Body & Soul program, the faith community nurse involved laypersons as health ministry team members to support urban African American churchgoers in learning and practicing healthier eating and self-care practices. The health intervention used the Patient Activation Measure (PAM) and incorporated Scripture into weekly sessions, revealing an increase in participants' self-care activation activities.