The Influence of Generational Age on Faith's Role in the Health Beliefs of African-American Women

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the differences between three groups of African American Women (AAW) from three generations, Baby Boomers (BB), Generation X (Gen X), and Generation Y (Gen Y) and the role of faith beliefs in determining the health perceptions of AAW. This descriptive quantitative design described addressed the following specific aims: (a) describe the demographic characteristics, faith beliefs, health beliefs, and depression features of three generational groups; (b) compare faith beliefs, health beliefs, and depression among three generational groups; and (c) describe relationships among generational age, faith beliefs, health beliefs (susceptibility, severity, barriers, benefits, cues to action, self-efficacy), and depression. Data were gathered using a demographic questionnaire, the Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith questionnaire, the Generation Identification questionnaire, Champions Health Belief Model, modified to include the variables faith beliefs and depression and the Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System for Depression questionnaire. The final sample consisted of 159 participants. Sixty-seven were Baby Boomers (BB), 73 were from Generations X (Gen X) and 19 were from Generation Y (Gen Y). The results showed at least 90% of BB, Gen X and Gen Y indicated a high level of faith beliefs by scoring on the high end of the SCSORF questionnaire. Results from Chi square, ANOVA and linear regression analyses did not support moderating effects of generational age upon the relationship between faith beliefs and health beliefs about depression. Further, these analyses did not support a direct relationship between faith beliefs and health beliefs such that faith beliefs are predictors of health beliefs about depression.