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UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH IN ADDRESSING THE HEALTH AND LEISURE NEEDS OF YOUNG AFRICAN NOVA SCOTIAN WOMEN by Crystal Lynne Watson Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts at Dalhousie University Halifax, Nova Scotia November 2009 © Copyright by Crystal Lynne Watson, 2009 Library and Archives Bibliotheque et 1*1 Canada Archives Canada Published Heritage Direction du Branch Patrimoine de I'edition 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A 0N4 Ottawa ON K1A0N4 Canada Canada Your file Votre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-63583-4 Our file Notre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-63583-4 NOTICE: AVIS: The author has granted a non L'auteur a accorde une licence non exclusive exclusive license allowing Library and permettant a la Bibliotheque et Archives Archives Canada to reproduce, Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, publish, archive, preserve, conserve, sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public communicate to the public by par telecommunication ou par I'lnternet, preter, telecommunication or on the Internet, distribuer et vendre des theses partout dans le loan, distribute and sell theses monde, a des fins commerciales ou autres, sur worldwide, for commercial or non support microforme, papier, electronique et/ou commercial purposes, in microform, autres formats. paper, electronic and/or any other formats. The author retains copyright L'auteur conserve la propriete du droit d'auteur ownership and moral rights in this et des droits moraux qui protege cette these. Ni thesis. Neither the thesis nor la these ni des extraits substantiels de celle-ci substantial extracts from it may be ne doivent etre imprimis ou autrement printed or otherwise reproduced reproduits sans son autorisation. without the author's permission. In compliance with the Canadian Conformement a la loi canadienne sur la Privacy Act some supporting forms protection de la vie privee, quelques may have been removed from this formulaires secondaires ont ete enleves de thesis. cette these. While these forms may be included Bien que ces formulaires aient inclus dans in the document page count, their la pagination, il n'y aura aucun contenu removal does not represent any loss manquant. of content from the thesis. 1+1 Canada DEDICATION With love and in fond remembrance, this thesis is dedicated in loving memory of my grandparents, James and Harriett (Diggs) Colley, my father Charles Watson, Sr. and my cousin, friend and Pastor, Ernie Simmonds, III. IV TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT VIII ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS IX CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1 1.0 Statement of the problem 1 1.1 Purpose and Significance 2 1.2 Research Questions 4 1.3 Historical Context: The 'Black Church' 4 1.4 The African United Baptist Association 6 1.5 Role of the Researcher 7 1.6 Summary 9 CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF LITERATURE 10 2.0 Introduction 10 2.1 Religion 10 2.2 Leisure 12 2.3 Health 17 2.4 Religion and Health 19 2.5 The Leisure - Health Connection 22 2.6 Religion, Health and Leisure 23 2.7 Leisure, Health, Religion and Young Women of African Descent 24 CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODS AND METHODOLOGY 26 3.0 Introduction 26 3.1 Through a different lens: Afrocentricity and Black Feminist Thought 26 3.1.1 Afrocentricity 26 3.1.2 Black Feminist Thought 29 3.2 Research Design 31 3.2.1 Sampling and Recruitment 31 v 3.2.2 Data Collection, Management and Analysis 32 3.3 Ethical Concerns 37 3.4 Summary 40 CHAPTER 4: RESULTS 41 4.0 Introduction 41 4.1 Trusting Relationships 42 4.1.1 Trusting Parental Relationships 43 4.1.2 Trusting and Respecting the Elders 44 4.1.3 Trusting Peer Relationships 47 4.1.4 Trusting Familial Supports and Outsiders as Information Sources 48 4.1.5 Trust and Identity 50 4.1.6 Summary 51 4.2 Tension between being healthy and experiencing leisure 52 4.2.1 Leisure Interests and Decision Making 52 4.2.2 Defining and Valuing Health 54 4.2.3 Health Practices 55 4.2.4 Limited community centre options 58 4.2.5 Summary 59 4.3 The Baptist Youth Fellowship: Connecting Church, Kinship, and Community 60 4.3.1 BYF as a church-based learning environment 60 4.3.2 BYF as a sacred space for leisure 62 4.3.3 BYF as a protective factor 64 4.3.4 BYF and kinship connections 66 4.3.5 BYF facilitates community awareness and involvement 67 4.3.6 Summary 69 CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION 70 5.0 Introduction 70 5.1 Seeking authentic relationships 71 5.2 Balancing their health and leisure: Beliefs versus actions 74 5.3 Balancing Interconnectedness with Disconnectedness 76 5.4 Summary 77 5.5 Implications for Leisure services 78 5.6 Implications for Health services 79 5.7 Recommendations for future research 81 5.8 Limitations 83 5.9 Conclusions 85 VI BIBLIOGRAPHY 88 APPENDICES 97 Appendix A: Recruitment Poster 97 Appendix B: Informed Consent 98 Appendix C: Recruitment Letter 102 Appendix D: Interview Guide 103 Appendix E: Focus Group Discussion Guide 105 Appendix F: Resources 107 vii ABSTRACT African-descended youth are at risk of poor health outcomes in later life. Research suggests that youth involved in church-based programs are less likely to engage in health-compromising behaviours. The Black church has been an influential institution in the lives of persons of African descent. While constraints exist for persons of African descent in accessing leisure and health, the church has the potential to address some of those challenges for youth for improving health outcomes. Using Afrocentricity and Black Feminist Thought as guiding conceptual frameworks, this study explored the health and leisure needs of young African Nova Scotian women and their perceptions of the church as a resource for information. Findings revealed the interconnectedness of leisure and health lives of these young women with their church, family and community. As well, their leisure experiences are impacted by cultural and societal factors that create tensions in leisure and health service access. viii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Special thanks to African Nova Scotian women past and present who have paved a way for me to achieve the highest heights and to dream beyond them and to my ancestors for your determination through the struggle. I am humbled by your strength. Thanks to my church family for your prayers and words of encouragement throughout this process. I hope that I have made you all proud. I am so grateful for my husband, Justice and our daughters Raytesha and Gloria for being my inspiration and motivation. Know that your love sustains me. This would not be possible without the love and support of family and friends and so I extend my thanks to all of you for believing in the power within me. There are too many to mention but to my mother Mary Colley Watson and my sister and brothers, thank you for challenging me daily to reach higher and dig deeper. To all of my friends, mentors and colleagues thank you for your consistent encouragement. Finally, thanks to my committee for their guidance and support throughout this process: Dr Lois Jackson, Dr. Anita Unruh and my supervisor, Dr. Susan Tirone. Your patience and support is greatly appreciated. IX CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.0 Statement of the problem Research suggests that African-descended youth are at increased risk of poor health in later life for many reasons. For example, many youth experience social problems such as but not limited to violence, poverty, unemployment, and sexually related diseases and conditions (Rubin, Billingsley & Caldwell, 1994). Poor health outcomes among African Nova Scotian youth are also associated with experiences with the education system. These educational struggles include peer pressure, lack of involvement in extracurricular activities, and coping with institutionalized and societal racism (Halifax Regional School Board, 2003). Other challenges faced by African descended youth are related to the limited number of educators and guidance counselors of African descent, the absence of an inclusive and diverse curriculum, and challenges encountered when discussing issues associated with race and racism (Halifax Regional School Board, 2003). Studies indicate that the poor health of persons of African descent in their youth places them at higher risk of developing and dying from chronic diseases such as hypertension, Type II diabetes, and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus later in life (Bowen-Reid and Smalls, 2004). It is believed that these diseases are significantly higher within the African Nova Scotian community but little research has been done in this area (Nova Scotia Department of Health, 2003). In coping with challenges related to these issues, youth of African descent benefit from involvement in community-based activities that act as a buffer to the negative influences in their lives (Arnon, Shamai & llatov, 2008; Hirsch, et al., 2000; Nicholson, Collins & Holmer, 2004). The "Black Church"1 is an example of a community based institution that is central to the well- 1 For the purposes of this research study, the Black church will refer to the African United Baptist Association (AUBA). While the researcher acknowledges that there are other denominations within Nova Scotia whose congregations contain persons of African descent, the AUBA is the largest organization. 1 being of many youth of African descent and as such may be a viable agency for providing guidance and education to youth on issues related to health and leisure. Information specific to the health of young African Canadians is limited (Nova Scotia Department of Health, 2003). Leisure research in Canada is also lacking in relation to the leisure behaviors, patterns, and interests of this cultural group (Frisby et al., 2005). Research by Hamilton (1997) suggested that due to the isolation experienced by many African Nova Scotians, the church played a vital role in addressing the needs of the community, including needs associated with health and leisure.