Social support and companionship among active African American women.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the role of physical activity (PA) companions in supporting PA participation among African American women. METHODS: Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus groups. Fifteen physically active African American women participated in the study. Grounded theory data analysis techniques were used to develop a taxonomy depicting roles of PA companions for African American women. RESULTS: PA companions functioned in 4 different roles: motivational, social, facilitative, and instructional. Supportive behaviors associated with each role were also elucidated. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide an understanding for the function of companions in sustaining active lifestyle that can be used to inform intervention development.

Author information

Author/s: Harley, Amy E (AE); Katz, Mira L (ML); Heaney, Catherine A (CA); Duncan, Dustin T (DT); Buckworth, Janet (J); Odoms-Young, Angela (A); Willis, Sharla K (SK);

Affiliation: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, College of Health Sciences, Center for Urban Population Health, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA. harley(-atsign-)uwm.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: American journal of health behavior (Am J Health Behav), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2009 Nov-Dec; vol 33 (issue 6) : pp 673-85

Dates: Created 2009/03/26; Completed 2009/10/21;

PMID: 19320616, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/21/2009, IMS Date: )

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