CHDR FUNDED PILOT STUDIES

Discovering a lay (emic) model of physical activity of African American elders with chronic health conditions living in faith-based or residential communities

Mary K. Cresci, PhD, RN (JHUSON)
Eileen Jackson, PhD (NCA&TSON)

The overall goal of this study is to model African American elders’ emic knowledge of physical activity by naturalistic inquiry into relationships, activities, barriers and facilitators influencing their engagement in physical activity in their faith based or residential communities.

This pilot study is the first phase of a multi-phased study to model the practical (emic) knowledge of older African Americans --- a model that accurately reflects the knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes African American elders have toward physical activity and where they place it in time and space within their communities. The development and testing of a tool for predicting engagement in physical activity among elders in African American communities will be phase two of the study. Phase three of the study will test the generalizability of the findings by distributing the tool widely within the African American Community.

In the final phase of the study, the model will be used to shape interventional approaches to self-management of chronic health conditions that will either prevent or slow chronic disability. The specific aims for the pilot study include: 1) Discover the elements and patterns of African American elders’ beliefs, practices, and knowledge about physical activity and health; and 2) Model the lay (emic) knowledge of physical activity of African American elders.