Cultural influences on health-promoting behaviors of older African-American women.
Culture is an integral component of health-promoting behaviors that can no longer be ignored. Using Pender's Revised Health Promotion Model as a guide, this correlational predictive study explored the cultural influences on the health-promoting behaviors of 201 (N = 201) older African-American women in the southeastern United States. Findings revealed that older African-American women who were acculturated towards the dominant society had significantly higher scores on the Modified African American Acculturation Scale Revised (AAAS-R), were highly educated with high socioeconomic resources, and were more likely to engage in health-promoting behaviors. Culture significantly predicted health-promoting behaviors (b = .27, t(198), p < .001), and explained a significant portion of variance in health-promoting behaviors among older African-American women (R2 = .22, F[2, 198] = 27.31, p < .001). By studying the influence of culture and acculturation in older African-American women, nurses and physicians can develop educational and culturally competent interventions to eliminate existing health disparities and to encourage health-promoting behaviors and longevity.
Florida A&M University School of Nursing, 223 Ware-Rhaney Building, Suite F, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA. janelle.baker@famu.edu
Janelle R
JR
Baker
D000069:Acculturation; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012931:Social Environment; D015144:Southeastern United States