Spiritual health locus of control and health behaviors in African Americans

Am J Health Behav. 2012 Mar;36(3):360-72. doi: 10.5993/AJHB.36.3.7.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Black or African American*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Health Behavior / ethnology*
  • Humans
  • Internal-External Control*
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Primary Prevention
  • Risk Reduction Behavior
  • Spirituality*
  • United States