title: The Black church, sexual health, and sexuality: a conceptual framework to promote health through faith-based organizations.
abstract: There is a growing body of literature that documents the unique impact of black churches on social and health-related changes in the black community. Sexual health and sexuality, however, have long been sources of contention within the institution. The purpose of this article was to refine existing theoretical models that undergird sexual health research in faith-based organizations. The proposed conceptual model explores social-level factors (racism, homophobia, and heterosexism) and church organizational-level factors (beliefs, social trust, norms, and social support/influence). We make an argument in favor of illuminating the negative social-level barriers and affirming the internal cultural supports.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Equity Research and Center for Global Women's Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. stewj@nursing.upenn.edu
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Marilyn S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Sommers
authors.forename: Bridgette M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Brawner
mesh_terms: D044383:Black People; D002835:Christianity; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D019529:Sexuality