Social support and companionship among active African American women.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the role of physical activity (PA) companions in supporting PA participation among African American women.


METHODS
Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus groups. Fifteen physically active African American women participated in the study. Grounded theory data analysis techniques were used to develop a taxonomy depicting roles of PA companions for African American women.


RESULTS
PA companions functioned in 4 different roles: motivational, social, facilitative, and instructional. Supportive behaviors associated with each role were also elucidated.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings provide an understanding for the function of companions in sustaining active lifestyle that can be used to inform intervention development.
Harley
Amy E
AE
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, College of Health Sciences, Center for Urban Population Health, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA. harley@uwm.edu
Katz
Mira L
ML
Heaney
Catherine A
CA
Duncan
Dustin T
DT
Buckworth
Janet
J
Odoms-Young
Angela
A
Willis
Sharla K
SK