The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #67644

Charkarra Anderson-Lewis, MPH¹, Levi Ross, MPH¹, Connie L. Kohler, DrPH², and B. Lee Green, PhD¹. (1) Health Behavior, University of Alabama at Birmingham, RPHB 227, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, 205-943-0858, Charkarra@cs.com, (2) Department of Health Behavior School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, RPHB 227, 1530 3rd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022

In 1996, an initial effort was made by Welton et al. (1996) to expand the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) scales to include a construct termed “God Locus of control” as the fourth dimension of locus of control. This modification of the general form of the MHLC is a step toward development of tools for assessing religiously based health control beliefs. Focus groups interviews were conducted to elicit opinions about the God Health Locus of Control (GLHC) from African American men and women in rural and urban areas in Alabama and Mississippi. Community Health Advisors-Research Partners from the Deep South Network for Cancer control were trained as part of the research team. Twenty focus group sessions were conducted in which fifty-two men and sixty-four women were administered the GLHC. Using guidelines for qualitative ethnographic research, focus group questions were aimed at seeking group and individual views about the GLHC scale. Most participants reacted to the scale by suggesting that both they and God were in control of their health outcomes. Thus, a fifth dimension may need to be added as a locus of control. This fifth dimension is the Religious Collaboration control dimension. The new scale, which includes six new items, is designed to assess the extent of the belief that both the individual and God together exerts control over one’s current health state. This scale will be tested during the spring 2003. Preliminary results of this new scale will be presented.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this presentation participants will be able to:
• Articulate the process of focus group methodology in developing tools assessing religiously based health control beliefs.
• Recognize qualitative research as a useful means of obtaining information from hard-to-reach populations.

Keywords: African American, Religion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.