Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health 1/2015

Open Access 01-02-2015 | Original Paper

Religion, Kinship and Health Behaviors of African American Women

Authors: Kathryn Coe, Colleen Keller, Jenelle R. Walker

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 1/2015

Login to get access

Abstract

A positive relationship exists between functional health and religion. We present an empirical definition of religion and describe the key elements of religious behavior, building a model that can be used to explore the presumed relationship between religion and health. Semi-structured interactive interviews were conducted with 22 participants over a 6-month period. Head Start programs and churches located in the inner city of a large metropolitan area. Twenty-two African American women were aged from 21 to 45. We focus on social relationships and propose that prophet-created religions mimic kinship relationships and encourage kinship-like cooperation between members.
Literature
go back to reference Arcury, T. A., Stafford, J. M., Bell, R. A., Golden, S. L., Snively, B. M., & Quandt, S. A. (2007). The association of health and functional status with private and public religious practice among rural, ethnically diverse, older adults with diabetes. The Journal of Rural Health, 23(3), 246–253.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Arcury, T. A., Stafford, J. M., Bell, R. A., Golden, S. L., Snively, B. M., & Quandt, S. A. (2007). The association of health and functional status with private and public religious practice among rural, ethnically diverse, older adults with diabetes. The Journal of Rural Health, 23(3), 246–253.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
go back to reference Baruth, M., Wilcox, S., Laken, M., Bopp, M., & Saunders, R. (2008). Implementation of a faith-based physical activity intervention: Insights from church health directors. Journal of Community Health, 33(5), 304–312.PubMedCrossRef Baruth, M., Wilcox, S., Laken, M., Bopp, M., & Saunders, R. (2008). Implementation of a faith-based physical activity intervention: Insights from church health directors. Journal of Community Health, 33(5), 304–312.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Baruth, M., Wilcox, S., & Condrasky, M. (2011a). Perceived environmental church support is associated with dietary practices among African-American adults. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 111(6), 889–893.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Baruth, M., Wilcox, S., & Condrasky, M. (2011a). Perceived environmental church support is associated with dietary practices among African-American adults. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 111(6), 889–893.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Baruth, M., Wilcox, S., Egan, B., Dowda, M., Laken, M., & Warren, T. (2011b). Cardiovascular disease risk factor clustering among African American adults. Ethnicity and Disease, 21(2), 129–134.PubMedCentralPubMed Baruth, M., Wilcox, S., Egan, B., Dowda, M., Laken, M., & Warren, T. (2011b). Cardiovascular disease risk factor clustering among African American adults. Ethnicity and Disease, 21(2), 129–134.PubMedCentralPubMed
go back to reference Bopp, M., Peterson, J. A., & Webb, B. L. (2012). A comprehensive review of faith-based physical activity interventions. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 6(6), 460–478.CrossRef Bopp, M., Peterson, J. A., & Webb, B. L. (2012). A comprehensive review of faith-based physical activity interventions. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 6(6), 460–478.CrossRef
go back to reference Castro, F. G., Sharp, E. V., Barrington, E. H., Walton, M., & Rawson, R. A. (1991). Drug abuse and identity in Mexican Americans: Theoretical and empirical considerations. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 13(2), 209–225.CrossRef Castro, F. G., Sharp, E. V., Barrington, E. H., Walton, M., & Rawson, R. A. (1991). Drug abuse and identity in Mexican Americans: Theoretical and empirical considerations. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 13(2), 209–225.CrossRef
go back to reference Durkheim, E. (1954). The elementary forms of religious life. Glencoe, IL: Free Press. Durkheim, E. (1954). The elementary forms of religious life. Glencoe, IL: Free Press.
go back to reference Ellison, C. G., & Levn, J. S. (1998). The religion-health connection: Evidence, theory, and future directions. Health Education and Behavior, 25, 700–720.PubMedCrossRef Ellison, C. G., & Levn, J. S. (1998). The religion-health connection: Evidence, theory, and future directions. Health Education and Behavior, 25, 700–720.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Eng, E., Hatch, J., & Callan, A. (1985). Institutionalizing social support through the church and into the community. Health Education and Behavior, 12(1), 81–92.CrossRef Eng, E., Hatch, J., & Callan, A. (1985). Institutionalizing social support through the church and into the community. Health Education and Behavior, 12(1), 81–92.CrossRef
go back to reference Ferraro, K. F., & Albrecht-Jensen, C. M. (1991). Does religion influence adult health? Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 30(2), 193–202.CrossRef Ferraro, K. F., & Albrecht-Jensen, C. M. (1991). Does religion influence adult health? Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 30(2), 193–202.CrossRef
go back to reference Go, A. S., Mozaffarian, D., Roger, V. L., Benjamin, E. J., Berry, J. D., Borden, W. B., et al. (2013). Heart disease and stroke statistics—2013 update: A report from the American health association. Circulation, 127, e6–e245. doi:10.1161/CIR.0b013e31828124ad.PubMedCrossRef Go, A. S., Mozaffarian, D., Roger, V. L., Benjamin, E. J., Berry, J. D., Borden, W. B., et al. (2013). Heart disease and stroke statistics—2013 update: A report from the American health association. Circulation, 127, e6–e245. doi:10.​1161/​CIR.​0b013e31828124ad​.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Halfon, N., & Hochstein, M. (2002). Life course health development: An integrated framework for developing health, policy, and research. Milbank Quarterly, 80(3), 433–479.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Halfon, N., & Hochstein, M. (2002). Life course health development: An integrated framework for developing health, policy, and research. Milbank Quarterly, 80(3), 433–479.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Hall, D. C., Goldstein, M. K., & Stein, G. H. (1977). Progress in manual breast examination. Cancer, 40(1), 364–370.PubMedCrossRef Hall, D. C., Goldstein, M. K., & Stein, G. H. (1977). Progress in manual breast examination. Cancer, 40(1), 364–370.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Higgins, P. G., & Dicharry, E. K. (1991). Measurement issues addressing social support with Navajo women. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 13(2), 242–255.PubMedCrossRef Higgins, P. G., & Dicharry, E. K. (1991). Measurement issues addressing social support with Navajo women. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 13(2), 242–255.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Hrdy, S. B. (1999). Mother nature: A history of mothers, infants and natural selection. New York, NY: Pantheon Books. Hrdy, S. B. (1999). Mother nature: A history of mothers, infants and natural selection. New York, NY: Pantheon Books.
go back to reference Kahn, R., & Antonucci, T. (1980). Convoys over the life course: Attachment rules and social support. In P. Bates & O. Brim (Eds.), Lifespan development and behavior (3rd ed., pp. 253–285). Orlando, FL: Academic Press. Kahn, R., & Antonucci, T. (1980). Convoys over the life course: Attachment rules and social support. In P. Bates & O. Brim (Eds.), Lifespan development and behavior (3rd ed., pp. 253–285). Orlando, FL: Academic Press.
go back to reference Kirkpatrick, L. A. (2006). Religion is not an adaptation. In P. McNamara (Ed.), Where men and god meet: How brain and evolutionary studies alter our understanding of religion (Vol. 1: Evolution, Genes, and the Religious Brain ed., pp. 159–179). Westport, CT: Praeger. Kirkpatrick, L. A. (2006). Religion is not an adaptation. In P. McNamara (Ed.), Where men and god meet: How brain and evolutionary studies alter our understanding of religion (Vol. 1: Evolution, Genes, and the Religious Brain ed., pp. 159–179). Westport, CT: Praeger.
go back to reference Koenig, H. G. (2001). Religion and medicine III: Developing a theoretical model. International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 31(2), 199–216.PubMedCrossRef Koenig, H. G. (2001). Religion and medicine III: Developing a theoretical model. International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 31(2), 199–216.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Koenig, H. G., Hays, J. C., Larson, D. B., George, L. K., Cohen, H. J., McCullough, M. E., et al. (1999). Does religious attendance prolong survival? A six-year follow-up study of 3,968 older adults. Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, 54(7), M370–M376. Koenig, H. G., Hays, J. C., Larson, D. B., George, L. K., Cohen, H. J., McCullough, M. E., et al. (1999). Does religious attendance prolong survival? A six-year follow-up study of 3,968 older adults. Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, 54(7), M370–M376.
go back to reference Krippendorff, K. (1980). Content analysis: An introduction to its methodology. Newbury Park, CA: Sage. Krippendorff, K. (1980). Content analysis: An introduction to its methodology. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
go back to reference Kroeber, A. (1909). Classification systems of kinship. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 3(1), 77–84. Kroeber, A. (1909). Classification systems of kinship. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 3(1), 77–84.
go back to reference Lancaster, J., Whitten, P. (1990). Sharing in human evolution. In H. Wheeler (Ed.), Anthropology: Contemporary perspectives (6th ed.). Glenview, IL: Scott, Foresman/Little Brown Higher Education. Lancaster, J., Whitten, P. (1990). Sharing in human evolution. In H. Wheeler (Ed.), Anthropology: Contemporary perspectives (6th ed.). Glenview, IL: Scott, Foresman/Little Brown Higher Education.
go back to reference Lee, R., & DeVore, I. (1968). Man the hunter. Chicago, IL: Aldine. Lee, R., & DeVore, I. (1968). Man the hunter. Chicago, IL: Aldine.
go back to reference Levin, J. S., & Vanderpool, H. Y. (1989). Is religion therapeutically significant for hypertension? Social Science and Medicine, 29(1), 69–78.PubMedCrossRef Levin, J. S., & Vanderpool, H. Y. (1989). Is religion therapeutically significant for hypertension? Social Science and Medicine, 29(1), 69–78.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Marty, P. J., McDermott, R. J., & Gold, R. S. (1983). An assessment of three alternative formats for promoting breast self-examination. Cancer Nursing, 6(3), 207–211.PubMedCrossRef Marty, P. J., McDermott, R. J., & Gold, R. S. (1983). An assessment of three alternative formats for promoting breast self-examination. Cancer Nursing, 6(3), 207–211.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications Inc. Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications Inc.
go back to reference Palmer, C. T., Coe, K., & Wadley, R. L. (2008). In belief we trust: Why anthropologists abandon skepticism when they hear claims about supernatural beliefs. Skeptic, 14(1), 60–65. Palmer, C. T., Coe, K., & Wadley, R. L. (2008). In belief we trust: Why anthropologists abandon skepticism when they hear claims about supernatural beliefs. Skeptic, 14(1), 60–65.
go back to reference Pargament, K. I. (1997). The psychology of religion and coping: Theory, research, practice. New York, NY: Guilford Press. Pargament, K. I. (1997). The psychology of religion and coping: Theory, research, practice. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
go back to reference Pargament, K. I., Smith, B., Koenig, H. G., & Perez, L. (1998). Patterns of positive and negative religious coping with major life stressors. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 37(4), 710–724.CrossRef Pargament, K. I., Smith, B., Koenig, H. G., & Perez, L. (1998). Patterns of positive and negative religious coping with major life stressors. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 37(4), 710–724.CrossRef
go back to reference Shepherd, W. C. (1980). Cultural relativism, physical anthropology, and religion. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 19(2), 159–172.CrossRef Shepherd, W. C. (1980). Cultural relativism, physical anthropology, and religion. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 19(2), 159–172.CrossRef
go back to reference Steadman, L. B., & Palmer, C. T. (1995). Religion as an identifiable traditional behavior subject to natural selection. Journal of Social and Evolutionary Systems, 18(2), 149–164.CrossRef Steadman, L. B., & Palmer, C. T. (1995). Religion as an identifiable traditional behavior subject to natural selection. Journal of Social and Evolutionary Systems, 18(2), 149–164.CrossRef
go back to reference Steadman, L. B., & Palmer, C. (2008). The supernatural and natural selection: The evolution of religion. Boulder, CO: Paradigm Pub. Steadman, L. B., & Palmer, C. (2008). The supernatural and natural selection: The evolution of religion. Boulder, CO: Paradigm Pub.
go back to reference Sudano, J. J., & Baker, D. W. (2006). Explaining U.S. racial/ethnic disparities in health declines and mortality in late middle age: The roles of socioeconomic status, health behaviors, and health insurance. Social Science and Medicine, 62(4), 909–922. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2005.06.041.PubMedCrossRef Sudano, J. J., & Baker, D. W. (2006). Explaining U.S. racial/ethnic disparities in health declines and mortality in late middle age: The roles of socioeconomic status, health behaviors, and health insurance. Social Science and Medicine, 62(4), 909–922. doi:10.​1016/​j.​socscimed.​2005.​06.​041.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Troyer, H. (1988). Review of cancer among 4 religious sects: Evidence that life-styles are distinctive sets of risk factors. Social Science and Medicine, 26(10), 1007–1017.PubMedCrossRef Troyer, H. (1988). Review of cancer among 4 religious sects: Evidence that life-styles are distinctive sets of risk factors. Social Science and Medicine, 26(10), 1007–1017.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Venters, M. H. (1989). Family-oriented prevention of cardiovascular disease: A social epidemiological approach. Social Science and Medicine, 28(4), 309.PubMedCrossRef Venters, M. H. (1989). Family-oriented prevention of cardiovascular disease: A social epidemiological approach. Social Science and Medicine, 28(4), 309.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Voors, A., Webber, L., & Berenson, G. (1977). A consideration of essential hypertension in the pediatric age. Practical Cardiology, 3(1), 29–40. Voors, A., Webber, L., & Berenson, G. (1977). A consideration of essential hypertension in the pediatric age. Practical Cardiology, 3(1), 29–40.
go back to reference Weber, R. (1990). Basic content analysis [null] (2nd ed.). Newbury Park, CA: Sage. Weber, R. (1990). Basic content analysis [null] (2nd ed.). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
go back to reference Wilcox, S., Laken, M., Bopp, M., Gethers, O., Huang, P., McClorin, L., et al. (2007). Increasing physical activity among church members: Community-based participatory research. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 32(2), 131–138.PubMedCrossRef Wilcox, S., Laken, M., Bopp, M., Gethers, O., Huang, P., McClorin, L., et al. (2007). Increasing physical activity among church members: Community-based participatory research. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 32(2), 131–138.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Wilcox, S., Laken, M., Parrott, A. W., Condrasky, M., Saunders, R., Addy, C. L., et al. (2010). The faith, activity, and nutrition (FAN) program: Design of a participatory research intervention to increase physical activity and improve dietary habits in African American churches. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 31(4), 323–335.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Wilcox, S., Laken, M., Parrott, A. W., Condrasky, M., Saunders, R., Addy, C. L., et al. (2010). The faith, activity, and nutrition (FAN) program: Design of a participatory research intervention to increase physical activity and improve dietary habits in African American churches. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 31(4), 323–335.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Religion, Kinship and Health Behaviors of African American Women
Authors
Kathryn Coe
Colleen Keller
Jenelle R. Walker
Publication date
01-02-2015
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 1/2015
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-013-9784-0

Other articles of this Issue 1/2015

Journal of Religion and Health 1/2015 Go to the issue

Editorial

The New Year