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04-01-2025 | ORIGINAL PAPER

God Knows Best: Exploring the God Locus of Health Control, Race–Ethnicity, and Risk-Taking and Protective Behaviors Interrelationship in the USA

Authors: Colton L. Daniels, Christopher G. Ellison, Eric C. Shattuck, Thankam S. Sunil, Xiaohe Xu

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health

Abstract

The health implications of engaging in risk-taking or protective behaviors can have long-lasting effects on an individual’s life. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in how religious attitudes and beliefs influence an individual’s health behaviors. However, research on the role of the God Locus of Health Control (GLHC) in the religion–health literature is lacking. Data was derived from a national US sample (n = 1,259) via a cross-sectional survey exploring health attitudes and practices, and important sociocultural factors (e.g., religious beliefs). Results indicated that higher scores on the GLHC scale were associated with greater risk-taking behaviors that included having driven drunk, driving without a seatbelt, being a current tobacco user, and not using sunscreen. Higher GLHC scores were also associated with the protective behaviors of taking allergy medication and washing one’s hands. These results indicated some variation by race/ethnicity, with African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos typically being more risk-averse. Further empirical theoretical implications are discussed.

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Title: God Knows Best: Exploring the God Locus of Health Control, Race–Ethnicity, and Risk-Taking and Protective Behaviors Interrelationship in the USA
Authors: Colton L. Daniels
Christopher G. Ellison
Eric C. Shattuck
Thankam S. Sunil
Xiaohe Xu
Publication date: 04-01-2025
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-024-02227-w

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on adolescent vaping

Springer Medicine

God Knows Best: Exploring the God Locus of Health Control, Race–Ethnicity, and Risk-Taking and Protective Behaviors Interrelationship in the USA

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on adolescent vaping

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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