Religion, kinship and health behaviors of African American women

J Relig Health. 2015 Feb;54(1):46-60. doi: 10.1007/s10943-013-9784-0.

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.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Black or African American / psychology*
  • Cooperative Behavior
  • Family / psychology*
  • Female
  • Gender Identity*
  • Health Behavior*
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Interview, Psychological
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / prevention & control*
  • Obesity / psychology*
  • Religion and Medicine*
  • Religion and Psychology*
  • Spirituality
  • Young Adult