Spiritual health locus of control and health behaviors in African Americans

Katrina J. Debnam, Cheryl L. Holt, Eddie M. Clark, David L. Roth, Herman R. Foushee, Martha Crowther, Mona Fouad, Penny L. Southward

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To examine relationships between spiritual health locus of control beliefs and various health behaviors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of a national sample of African Americans assessed spiritual beliefs, fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity, and alcohol consumption. Results: Active spiritual beliefs were positively associated with fruit consumption and negatively associated with alcohol consumption. Passive spiritual beliefs were associated with lower vegetable and increased alcohol consumption. Among male participants, passive spiritual beliefs were associated with higher alcohol consumption. Conclusions: Findings suggest that dimensions of spiritual health locus of control beliefs have complex and varying relationships with health behaviors.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)360-372
Number of pages13
JournalAmerican Journal of Health Behavior
Volume36
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • African Americans
  • Health behaviors
  • Spiritual health locus of control
  • Spirituality

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Social Psychology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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