Strategies for Designing Clergy and Spouse Obesity-Related Programs

Perceptions of mindfulness practices as a support for individuals managing caregiving responsibilities and chronic disease: A qualitative study

OBJECTIVES

Explore the lived experience of individuals managing and/or caregiving for someone with a chronic disease and their perceptions of developing a mindfulness program for stress reduction.

METHODS

Sixteen participants with chronic disease and/or caregivers participated. Participants completed eligibility screening, demographic questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews (30-60 min each) online or by phone. Interviews (n = 16) were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis and NVivo® 12. Survey data were analyzed using SPSS® 28.

RESULTS

Four themes emerged: (a) Chronic disease management and stress-perspectives on life's stressors; (b) Stress reduction techniques/perceptions of mindfulness-knowledge and implementation of stress reduction practices and familiarity with mindfulness; (c) Mindfulness program acceptability, barriers, and facilitators-interest, barriers, and facilitators to attending; (d) Mindfulness program structure-logistics to increase access and appeal to diverse audiences.

DISCUSSION

Mindfulness has the potential for addressing the complexities of stress associated with disease management. Targeting mindfulness programs for populations with chronic disease management and caregiving responsibilities should include: Consideration of group formats with participation limited to this population, structuring programs to overcome barriers (i.e., culturally appropriate location), and equipping members of the community being served as instructors to ensure culturally relevant instruction.

A Scoping Review of Self-Care Within the Context of Obesity-Related Outcomes Among Faith Leaders

OBJECTIVE

Faith leaders often serve as health-related role models yet many struggle with obesity and self-care engagement. The purpose of this scoping review was to examine how the faith leader literature has defined self-care and examined obesity and obesity-related chronic disease.

DATA SOURCE

Studies were identified through database (eg, PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO), backward, and grey literature (eg, dissertations) searches.

INCLUSION/EXCLUSION CRITERIA

Studies published in English with participants who were 18 years or older and examined leaders across all faiths. Studies also included an examination of self-care behaviors among faith leaders within the context of obesity or obesity-related chronic diseases.

DATA EXTRACTION/SYNTHESIS

Data synthesis was qualitative and informed by the six-step framework developed by Arksey and O'Malley (2005) as well as updated recommendations by Daudt et al (2013). Of the 418 studies identified and screened, 20 met the eligibility criteria.

RESULTS

Studies were primarily cross-sectional and participants Christian faith-leaders in the US. Most studies did not define self-care or incorporate theory, but focused on vegetarian diets and physical activity engagement. Other self-care related behaviors (eg, sleep, days off), some unique to faith leaders (eg, sabbatical), were included but not systematically.

CONCLUSIONS

Research with more diverse faith leaders and that uses theory is needed to guide development of strategies for engaging this population in self-care to reduce obesity and related chronic diseases.

Fit with Faith: An Exploratory Study Examining a Behavior Change Intervention for African-American Clergy and Their Spouses

Fit with Faith is a 10-week, diet, physical activity, and stress reduction intervention for African-American clergy and spouses, which included: meetings, phone calls, a behavior tracking app. Survey, 24-h recall, accelerometer, anthropometric, and blood pressure data were collected. Wilcoxon signed ranked tests were used for analyses. In this one-arm study, clergy and spouses (n = 20) attended most meetings and calls, but only half posted daily goals or tracked behaviors using the app. Spouses' body mass index (BMI) decreased and physical activity self-regulation cognitive scores increased pre-post intervention. Statistically significant changes in BMI, systolic blood pressure, and self-regulations scores also were seen among younger (< 51 years) participants (n = 8). As positive changes were seen mostly among women and younger participants, more research is needed on how to engage all clergy in behavior change programs.