The Role of Religious Behavior in Health Self-Management: a Community-Based Participatory Research Study
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religions Article The Role of Religious Behavior in Health Self-Management: A Community-Based Participatory Research Study Jane Pfeiffer 1,*, Hong Li 2, Maybelline Martez 3 and Tim Gillespie 4 1 School of Nursing, Azusa Pacific University, 375 Hospitality Lane, San Bernardino, CA 92408, USA 2 School of Nursing, Azusa Pacific University, 901 E. Alosta Ave., Azusa, CA 91702, USA; [email protected] 3 School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, 24951 North Circle Drive, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; [email protected] 4 CrossWalk Church, 10421 Corporate Drive, Redlands, CA 92374, USA; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 18 September 2018; Accepted: 8 November 2018; Published: 13 November 2018 Abstract: Prevalence of chronic disease, mental health problems, and risk behaviors in San Bernardino (SB) County reflect some of the worst health outcomes in the State of California and the United States. Using the Integrated Theory of Health Behavior Change (ITHBC) as the theoretical framework, this community-based participatory research (CBPR) study aimed to determine how religious self-regulation skills and ability, and religious behaviors, jointly affect health promotion behaviors among socio-economically challenged residents of southwest SB County, California. A convenience sample of adult residents (N = 261) completed a series of inventories to measure the relationship between modified ITHBC constructs of religious self-regulation skills, religious self-management behaviors, and health outcomes. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis was conducted to validate the strong positive effect of religious self-regulation skills and ability on how frequently individuals engage in both organized and non-organized religious activities. Results also indicated a significant positive impact of religious behaviors towards healthy eating behaviors. However, without the engagement in religious activities, high religious self-regulation skills and ability inhibited the likelihood of healthy food intake. This faith-related theoretical model provides an avenue for faith-based organizations’ capacity for contributing to community health promotion. Keywords: religious self-regulation; religious self-management behaviors; healthy eating behaviors; health outcomes; religious support; low socio-economic status; organized and non-organized religious behaviors 1. Introduction Multidisciplinary research reveals a range of health benefits through participation in religion (Ansari et al. 2017, p. 6; Koenig et al. 2012; Tan et al. 2013). Religiosity has been associated with health promoting behaviors, such as improved diet, attendance to preventive care, exercise, and moderate drinking, contributing to overall improved health status (Hill and Pargament 2008; Persynaki et al. 2017). Studies also indicate a positive association between religiosity and mental health, including well-being, self-esteem, and decreased stress levels (Krause et al. 2016). The range of health outcomes also involves lowered rates of cardiovascular disease, cancer, hypertension, and blood pressure, all-cause mortality, breast cancer risk factors, and improved fruit and vegetable intake (Gillum and Williams 2009; Gillum and Ingram 2006; Tan et al. 2013). Therefore, this area of research is of great interest among the San Bernardino County population who have higher prevalence rates for heart Religions 2018, 9, 357; doi:10.3390/rel9110357 www.mdpi.com/journal/religions Religions 2018, 9, 357 2 of 15 Religions 2018, 9, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 15 disease and diabetes, compared to neighboring counties and state (San Bernardino County Board of SupervisorsSupervisors 20152015).). In addition, recent data reveals 38%38% ofof adultsadults inin thethe countycounty werewere determineddetermined toto bebe overweightoverweight andand 34%34% obeseobese ((SanSan BernardinoBernardino CountyCounty BoardBoard ofof SupervisorsSupervisors 2015 2015).). ThisThis researchresearch aimsaims to to examine examine quantitative quantitative assessment assessment data data of of how how religious religious behaviors behaviors function function as healthas health self-management self-management strategies. strategies. The The study stud methodologyy methodology was developedwas developed by the by Community-Based the Community- ParticipatoryBased Participatory Research Research (CBPR) (CBPR) approach approach and the an researchd the research questions questions and hypotheses and hypotheses were driven were bydriven the Integratedby the Integrated Theory Theory of Health of Health Behavior Behavio Changer Change (ITHBC) (ITHBC) (Ryan (Ryan 2009 )2009) (See (See Figure Figure1 for 1 the for modifiedthe modified ITHBC ITHBC model). model). Studies Studies of of CBPR CBPR have have found found various various benefits, benefits, which which rationalizes rationalizes itsits useuse forfor this study study and and includes includes (1) (1) its its ability ability to support to support culturally culturally relevant relevant research research and incorporate and incorporate local localcommunity community knowledge; knowledge; (2) ability (2) ability to recruit to recruit part participantsicipants to to interventions; interventions; (3) (3) development development andand strengtheningstrengthening skillsskills of of the the community community and academicand academic partners partners to address to difficultaddress issues;difficult (4) productiveissues; (4) conflictproductive resolution conflict strategies; resolution (5) strategies; promotion (5) of promotion partnership of synergypartnership to strengthen synergy to collaboration; strengthen andcollaboration; (6) continuation and (6) continuation of project efforts of project and efforts sustainability and sustainability of results of beyond results thebeyond funding the funding period (periodJagosh (Jagosh et al. 2015 et ;al.Israel 2015; et Israel al. 2001 et). al. Adopting 2001). Adopting the community-based the community-based participatory participatory research approach research (CBPR),approach which (CBPR), is a which more desirableis a more model desirable for researchmodel for with research vulnerable with populationsvulnerable populations than traditional than researchtraditional approaches research approaches that emphasize that emphasize less on the less context on the of acontext phenomenon of a phenomenon (Holkup et (Holkup al. 2004 ),et the al. current2004), the research current team research sought team to determinesought to determi in whatne way in what can the way faith can community the faith community contribute contribute to health status.to health Such status. exploration Such exploration could achieve could a achieve balance a between balance between research andresearch action and that action mutually that mutually benefits bothbenefits science both and science the community, and the community, such as the such reduction as the of reduction health disparities. of health The disparities. research questionThe research was whetherquestion religiouswas whether self-regulation religious andself-regulation religious behaviors and religious can change behaviors the individual can change health the individual behaviors withinhealth abehaviors community. within a community. Figure 1. Modified Integrated Theory of Health Behavior Change model. Figure 1. Modified Integrated Theory of Health Behavior Change model. Before addressing results, a review of recent literature on factors associated with CBPR and Before addressing results, a review of recent literature on factors associated with CBPR and health behaviors, including geographical factors, religious self-regulation, intrinsic religiosity, religious health behaviors, including geographical factors, religious self-regulation, intrinsic religiosity, coping, religious self-management behaviors, and healthy eating behaviors, is given. Exploration of religious coping, religious self-management behaviors, and healthy eating behaviors, is given. these constructs will aid in the description of health outcomes affecting at risk communities. Exploration of these constructs will aid in the description of health outcomes affecting at risk 1.1.communities. Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) 1.1. Community-BasedCBPR is an approach Participatory to research Research in public (CBPR) health that involves equitable partnerships and active participation in the decision-making process among community players and researchers to facilitate communityCBPR is health an approach improvement to research and increasein public knowledge health that ( involvesHolkup etequitable al. 2004; partnershipsJagosh et al. 2015and ).active The CBPRparticipation approach in the has decision-making its strengths in sustaining process among supportive community and power-sharing players and researchers relationships to facilitate among marginalizedcommunity health groups improvement (Tremblay and et al. increase 2018; Cargo knowledg ande Mercer (Holkup 2008 et al.; O’Brien 2004; Jagosh and Whitakeret al. 2015). 2011 The). CBPR approach has its strengths in sustaining supportive and power-sharing relationships among marginalized groups (Tremblay et al. 2018; Cargo and Mercer 2008; O’Brien and Whitaker 2011). Moreover, CBPR has been identified as a successful approach to recruiting and retaining hard to Religions 2018, 9, 357 3 of 15 Moreover, CBPR has been identified as a successful approach to recruiting and retaining hard to reach participants for research (Israel et al. 2010; De Las Nueces et al. 2012). Through