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Published in: Journal of Religion and Health 5/2023

14-06-2023 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Qualitative Inquiry of African American Female Church Leaders on Facilitators and Barriers of Conducting Adult Health Programs Within African American Churches: A Pilot Study Using a Socioecological Perspective Within the United States

Authors: Eduardo Gandara, Idethia Shevon Harvey, Lisako McKyer, Wen Luo, Jim Burdine

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 5/2023

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Abstract

Despite the success of health programs conducted within African American (AA) churches, research has been limited in understanding the facilitators and barriers of conducting adult health programs in churches led by female AA pastors/leaders. In addition, research has yet to analyze the effect of policy on these church-based health programs. Thus, this pilot study’s objective is to use the socio-ecological model (SEM) as a framework to explore female AA pastors’ and church leaders’ perspectives, in the U.S., on facilitators and barriers that exist when conducting adult health programs within their congregations. Using snowball sampling to recruit AA female church leaders and pastors (n = 6), semi-structured interviews were conducted with study participants. Data were then transcribed and analyzed using First and Second Cycle coding to identify themes. Nine themes emerged from the data, and after stratifying the themes according to the SEM, this study found that facilitators and barriers exist at the intrapersonal, organizational, community, and policy levels of the SEM. It is important for these factors to be considered to ensure that health programs led by AA women pastors/leaders are successful within AA churches. Study limitations and the need for further research are also noted.
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Metadata
Title
Qualitative Inquiry of African American Female Church Leaders on Facilitators and Barriers of Conducting Adult Health Programs Within African American Churches: A Pilot Study Using a Socioecological Perspective Within the United States
Authors
Eduardo Gandara
Idethia Shevon Harvey
Lisako McKyer
Wen Luo
Jim Burdine
Publication date
14-06-2023
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 5/2023
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-023-01852-1

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