The relationship between religious beliefs and behaviours and changes in Spiritual Health Locus of Control over time in a national sample of African-Americans |
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| Authors: | Eddie M. Clark Jin Huang David L. Roth Emily Schulz Beverly R. Williams Cheryl L. Holt |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USAclarkem@slu.edu;3. Center for Aging and Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA;4. Department of Occupational Therapy, Arizona School of Health Sciences, Mesa, AZ, USA;5. UAB Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA;6. Department of?Behavioral and Community Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA |
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| Abstract: | Using data from a sample of African-Americans, the present study examined the role of religious beliefs and behaviours in predicting changes in Spiritual Health Locus of Control (SHLOC), or beliefs about the role that God plays in a person’s health. A national sample of African-American adults was recruited using a telephone survey and re-contacted 2.5 years later. Overall, results indicated that both higher religious beliefs and behaviours predicted increases in Active SHLOC, or the view that one collaboratively works with God to maintain one’s health. However, only religious behaviours predicted increases in Passive SHLOC, or the view that because God is in complete control of health that one’s own behaviours are unnecessary. Among men, religious beliefs predicted strengthening Active SHLOC beliefs, while religious behaviours predicted growing Passive SHLOC beliefs. Among women, religious behaviours predicted strengthening Active and Passive SHLOC beliefs. |
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| Keywords: | Religiosity locus of control African-Americans health |
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