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SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AND HEALTH BELIEFS AMONG AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN WITH CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS AND THEIR DECISIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN GENETIC RESEARCH

Harmon, Carolyn Wilma
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1270243868

Abstract Details

2010, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Nursing.
The burden of chronic diseases is a growing epidemic throughout the world community. In the United States, it is the leading cause of illness, disability, and death. African American women are disproportionately affected by chronic health conditions. Genetic research is one base from which chronic health conditions can be further investigated and better understood. Advances in the genetic sciences have led to the identification of genes that predispose individuals to certain disease conditions. However, the lack of racial and ethnic diversity in genetic research severely limits the potential for the advancement of its science and clinical application to African American women with chronic health conditions. The purpose of this descriptive-comparative secondary analysis is to examine the social determinants of health and health beliefs that influence urban Midwestern African American middle aged women with chronic health conditions to participate in genetic research. Two integrative theoretical frameworks, the Social Determination of Health and the Health Belief Models, guided this investigation. A convenience sample of 98 African American women, 40 years of age and older, with chronic health conditions, who reside in the Cleveland metropolitan area, participated in one hour face-face structured interviews. Data were collected on several standardized measures such as the Beck Depression Inventory-II and the Perceived Genetic Knowledge and Attitudes. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and the Independent sample t-test were utilized to answer the research questions that are embedded in this research study. The mean age of the sample was 52 years, with more than half (57%) of the women reporting three or more chronic diseases. Overall, 65% of the women reported that they would be unwilling to participate in genetic research. Although the majority of the women commented that they had positive attitudes towards genetics, in sharp contrast, 43% rated their overall genetic knowledge as poor. Group mean differences were noted in genetic knowledge and attitudes and personal/health beliefs in terms of factors influencing the decisions of African American women to participate in genetic research. Implications from this inquiry can help explore and create novel methods for increasing ethnic and racial diversity in genetic research and improving well-being.
Faye A. Gary, EdD (Committee Chair)
Patricia E. McDonald, PhD (Committee Member)
Anne Matthews, PhD (Committee Member)
Mary Quinn-Griffin, PhD (Committee Member)
May L. Wykle, PhD (Committee Member)
238 p.
African Americans; Behaviorial Sciences; Genetics; Health; Minority and Ethnic Groups; Nursing
African American Women; Chronic Health Conditions; Determinants of Health; Health Beliefs; Decision Making; Genetic Research Participation

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Harmon, C. W. (2010). SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AND HEALTH BELIEFS AMONG AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN WITH CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS AND THEIR DECISIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN GENETIC RESEARCH [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1270243868

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Harmon, Carolyn. SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AND HEALTH BELIEFS AMONG AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN WITH CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS AND THEIR DECISIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN GENETIC RESEARCH. 2010. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1270243868.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Harmon, Carolyn. "SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AND HEALTH BELIEFS AMONG AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN WITH CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS AND THEIR DECISIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN GENETIC RESEARCH." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1270243868

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.