scholarly journals Development, implementation and participant evaluation of combining text messaging and peer group support in a weight management programme for African-American women

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 475-491
Author(s):  
Sohye Lee ◽  
Ruth Lindquist ◽  
Erica Schorr ◽  
Chih-Lin Chi ◽  
Diane J Treat-Jacobson
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Weight Management ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Peer Group ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
American Women ◽  
Peer Support Group

Background Development of highly accessible interventions that are effective in reducing body weight, preventing weight gain, and maintaining weight loss is urgently needed to solve the current obesity epidemic, especially among African-American women. Aims The purpose of this paper is to describe the development, implementation, and participant evaluation processes of a combined text messaging and peer support group programme to enhance weight management skills among African-American women. Methods The programme’s conceptual framework and operational model were developed to enhance the research design and protocol to support the study rationale and to lay a solid theoretical base for programme implementation. The programme curriculum and schedule were established and embedded into the programme protocol. Results The 16-week text messaging and peer support group intervention was implemented from September 2014 to March 2015. In total, 2089 messages were sent using an online text messaging application. Eight support group sessions were held in the participant’s community centre or community church bi-weekly for approximately one hour. Conclusions This paper provides a blueprint of the methodological aspects and insights from participants’ evaluation of a combined weight management intervention that can be used or adapted by public health nurses and other community health professionals in their work to develop weight management skills among African-American women.

Abstract P083: Qualitative Evidence Supporting a New Model of Health Behavior Change for African American Men in a Faith-Based Community

Circulation ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 135 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sohye Lee ◽  
Ruth Lindquist
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Stages Of Change ◽  
African American Men ◽  
Peer Group ◽  
Peer Support Group ◽  
Group Sessions ◽  
Over Time

Purpose: Programs of behavior change with education targeting application to lifestyle habits may result in changes in risk-related behavior and improved cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes. The purpose of this abstract is to describe the changes, as evidenced in the qualitative analyses of transcripts of 14 sessions of a 6-month peer support group intervention to foster risk-related behavioral change, and in final program interviews. Method: African American men (N=8), aged 45-83 years, from one Baptist church in NE U.S. participated in a peer-led behavior change program targeting Life’s Simple 7 (get active, control cholesterol, eat better, manage blood pressure, lose weight, reduce blood sugar, stop smoking), over a 6-month period. Research staff monitored the hour-long peer intervention sessions by phone and recorded and transcribed the sessions. Qualitative analysis comprised thematic analyses of the textual content of the peer group sessions and transcripts of follow-up interviews to identify evidence in the text supporting the existence of shifting stages of change within the group over time. Self-reported stages of readiness to change related to the 7 CVD behavioral risk areas were also quantified using 7 contemplation ladders with rungs ranging from zero (“no thoughts of changing”) to 10 (“taking action to change”). Results: Over the course of the 6-month intervention, changes in group participants’ stages of change were evident. Six key themes emerged from the group sessions, including: (1) individuals’ resistance to change behaviors (weeks 1-2); (2) engagement through peer discussion of challenges and barriers (weeks 2-5); (3) awareness of physical benefits of change (weeks 2-24); (4) peer group cooperation for problem solving (weeks 3-24); (5) initiating health promotion inclusive of family and community (weeks 11-24); and (6) teaching others (weeks 18-24). The median difference in change in the contemplation ladders was <0; likely due to a ceiling effect due to the recruitment of motivated men who were ready to change. In the 6-month interviews, although men have changed behaviors positively over time, participants still reported challenges to changing and maintaining behaviors in different areas. This reveals that behaviors are continuing to evolve, and that in this shifting, behavior change is still an ongoing process as the men become more aware of their behaviors and increasingly view them in context of family and community. Conclusions: In this 6-month, intensive peer-led intervention, the micro-culture of the peer support group transformed from self-focused resistance to cohesion, then to other-oriented action. The data moved beyond Prochaska’s Stages of Change Model to break out and define a new paradigm of change that affected family and community and which will likely lead to longer term, continued changes and ongoing reinforcement.

scholarly journals The Acceptability of Text Messaging to Help African American Women Manage Anxiety and Depression: Cross-Sectional Survey Study

10.2196/15801 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. e15801 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terika McCall ◽  
Todd A Schwartz ◽  
Saif Khairat
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
African American ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
American Women ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Insight Into

Background The rates of mental illness among African American women are comparable with the general population; however, they significantly underutilize mental health services compared with their white counterparts. Previous studies revealed that interventions delivered via text messaging are effective and can be used to increase access to services and resources. More insight into whether or not this modality is acceptable for use to deliver mental health care to help African American women manage anxiety and depression is needed. Objective This exploratory study aimed to gain insight into the acceptability of using text messaging to help African American women manage anxiety and depression. Methods A self-administered Web-based survey was launched in June 2018 and closed in August 2018. Eligible participants were African American women (18 years or older) who reside in the United States. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling (eg, email sent via listservs and social media posts). Respondents were provided an anonymous link to the questionnaire. The survey consisted of 53 questions on the following subjects: sociodemographic characteristics, attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help, mobile phone use, and acceptability of using a mobile phone to receive mental health care. Results The results of this exploratory study (N=101) showed that fewer than half of respondents endorsed the use of text messaging to communicate with a professional to receive help to manage anxiety (49/101, 48.5%) and depression (43/101, 42.6%). Approximately 51.4% (52/101) agreed that having the option to use text messaging to communicate with a professional if they are dealing with anxiety would be helpful. Similarly, 48.5% (49/101) agreed that having the option to use text messaging to communicate with a professional if they are dealing with depression would be helpful. Among participants who agreed that text messaging would be helpful, more than 80% noted being comfortable with its use to receive help for managing anxiety (approximately 86%, 45/52) and depression (approximately 82%, 40/49; highly significant positive association, all P<.001). More than 50% of respondents (56/101, 55.4%) indicated having concerns about using text messaging. No statistically significant associations were found between age and agreement with the use of text messaging to communicate with a professional to receive help for managing anxiety (P=.26) or depression (P=.27). Conclusions The use of text messaging was not highly endorsed by African American women as an acceptable mode of communication with a professional to help them manage anxiety or depression. Concerns around privacy, confidentiality, and the impersonal feel of communicating about sensitive issues via text messages must be addressed for this modality to be a viable option. The findings of this study demonstrated the need for further research into the use of mobile technology to provide this population with more accessible and convenient options for mental health care.

scholarly journals Patient Barriers for Weight Management Among African American Women

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 287-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Owen Bowie ◽  
Jennifer Kusch ◽  
George L Morris ◽  
Tracy Flood ◽  
Jessica Gill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Weight Management ◽  
American Women ◽  
Patient Barriers
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