How religiosity shapes health perceptions and behaviors of Latina immigrants: is it an enabling or prohibitive factor?
The study examines how religiosity shapes the health perceptions and health-related behaviors of 50 Latina immigrants from El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and Bolivia. Between May and August 2011, focus groups were conducted with participants representing each country of origin. Qualitative content analysis was the analytic strategy adopted in the study. The meta-theme, Religiosity Contributes to Positive Perceptions of Health and Health-Promoting Behaviors, is associated with six emerging themes: (1) Religiosity promotes a sense of personal responsibility for one's health; (2) Religiosity promotes a holistic view of health; (3) Religiosity promotes the view that health is a priority; (4) Religiosity promotes the view that health enables one to perform necessary tasks; (5) Religiosity promotes health-seeking behavior; and (6) Religiosity provides intrinsic health benefits. Findings do not follow the clear-cut dichotomy of the health locus of control model and challenge simplified notions that Latinas hold a purely external health locus of control toward their health and health care. Latinas rely on both God and themselves in managing their health and engaging in health-promoting actions, which are prompted in large part by their religiosity. Implications for culturally appropriate health communication and interventions are discussed.
a School of International Service and Center on Health, Risk, and Society , American University , 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington , DC 20016 , USA.
Maria
M
De Jesus
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D001838:Bolivia / Q000208:ethnology; D004544:El Salvador / Q000208:ethnology; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006166:Guatemala / Q000208:ethnology; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008800:Mexico / Q000208:ethnology; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012067:Religion
Latina/Hispanic women; focus groups; health behaviors; health locus of control; health perceptions; immigrants; religiosity