Beyond the Individual: Social and Cultural Influences on the Health-Seeking Behaviors of African American Men. Issue 1 (February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Eley, Natalie T.; Namey, Emily; McKenna, Kevin; Johnson, Annette Carrington; Guest, Greg
• Is Part Of: American journal of men's health. Volume 13:Issue 1(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Subjects: African American men -- health-seeking behaviors -- social influences -- culture -- focus groups; Men -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Sex factors in disease -- Periodicals; Men -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Men -- Health and hygiene -- United States -- Periodicals; Men -- Medical care -- Periodicals; 362.10811
• DOI: 10.1177/1557988319829953
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1557-9883

Abstract

Morbidity and mortality rates are alarmingly high among African American men and are influenced by the health-seeking behaviors of this population. This study examined data from 40 focus groups with African American men in Durham, North Carolina, to better understand social and cultural influences on health-seeking behaviors. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Three broad types of social/cultural influence on motivation to seek health care services were identified: family, culture and upbringing, and peers. Study findings confirm the importance of social relationships in influencing African American men's health-seeking behaviors and offer characterization of the nature of influence across different types of relationships, according to the direct support or indirect messages they provide. Future programs can draw on these data to inform efforts to include family and peers as well as utilize existing cultural gender norms to the advantage of health promotion for African American men.