title: Does the perception that God controls health outcomes matter for health behaviors?
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between God Locus of Health Control, health behaviors, and beliefs utilizing a cross-sectional online survey (N = 549). Results indicated that God Locus of Health Control was correlated with alcohol use, physical activity, perceived risk of chronic disease, and beliefs that poor health behaviors contribute to chronic disease (all p values < .05). Multiple regression analyses including covariates and other locus of control variables revealed that God Locus of Health Control was only an independent correlate of the belief that physical inactivity contributed to chronic disease. Insights from this study may be important for future faith-based health behavior change interventions.
authors: Nipissing University, Canada.
authors: Kristina H
authors: KH
authors: Karvinen
authors: Lucas J
authors: LJ
authors: Carr
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D029181:Spirituality; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: adults; alcohol; diet; exercise; health behavior; religion; smoking