God Locus Research Articles

Does the perception that God controls health outcomes matter for health behaviors?

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between God Locus of Health Control, health behaviors, and beliefs utilizing a cross-sectional online survey (N = 549). Results indicated that God Locus of Health Control was correlated with alcohol use, physical activity, perceived risk of chronic disease, and beliefs that poor health behaviors contribute to chronic disease (all p values < .05). Multiple regression analyses including covariates and other locus of control variables revealed that God Locus of Health Control was only an independent correlate of the belief that physical inactivity contributed to chronic disease. Insights from this study may be important for future faith-based health behavior change interventions.

Religiousness, Physical Activity and Obesity among Older Cancer Survivors: Results from the Health and Retirement Study 2000-2010.

The health behaviors of cancer survivors are an important research agenda in light of mounting evidence that aspects of health such as diet and exercise have salutary effects both mentally and physically for cancer survivors, a rapidly growing population in the United States and elsewhere. This paper analyzes data from the Health and Retirement Study 2000-2010 to determine if religious salience impacts the likelihood of obesity, changes in body mass index, and weekly vigorous activity. Two theories propose different hypotheses about the relationship. The health belief model would suggest the more religious may have the perception that healthy behaviors are positive and will be more likely to have a healthy body weight and get exercise. Conversely, high religious salience may signify a God locus of health control, leading to lesser likelihood of engagement in preventive health behaviors. Using logistic and regression analysis controlling for health behaviors at baseline (2000), these theories are tested, in addition to the explanatory power of lifestyle as a potential mechanism in the relationship of religiousness to body weight. Results show that high levels of religious salience may correspond to greater likelihood of obesity and lesser likelihood of getting regular exercise. Policy implications may include a greater emphasis on diet and physical activity in religious settings that may instead stress other health behaviors such as abstinence from smoking and alcohol.

Predictive factors on the receipt and completion of adjuvant chemotherapy in a mixed sociodemographic cohort of patients.

6137 Background: African Americans are more likely to die from breast, colon and lung cancer compared to whites. They are also less likely to receive and complete recommended therapy. The reasons for this are unknown. Methods: Breast, colon, and lung cancer patients eligible for adjuvant chemotherapy (stage IB-III breast, stage IIB-III colon, and Stage IB, II lung) and who received surgery at 2 urban medical centers, were approached between 2008 and 2010 and completed a self-administered survey focusing on sociodemographic factors, including social support, anxiety, depression, co-morbidities, trust and God Locus of Control (e.g., Whatever happens to my cancer is God’s will). These variables were related to receipt and completion of chemotherapy. 191 patients were approached, 161 consented and 30 refused (16%); out of the 161, 23 were deemed ineligible because of previous cancers, non-curative stage or receipt of chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant setting. Results: Final sample consisted of 138 pts. Median age: 54; sex:81% F; Race/Ethnicity:47% AA, 38% white, 9% Hispanic, 6% Asian/PI; Cancer Type: 73% Breast, 21% Colon, 6% Lung. Compared to whites, AA were more likely to have incomes&lt;20K (35% vs. 10%, p=.0002), have any comorbidities (80% vs. 57%, p=0.006), and have high levels of God Locus of Control (56% vs 27%, p=0.003). There were no differences by race in chemotherapy receipt (89% vs. 88%) or relative dose intensity (RDI) of chemo&gt;=85% (58% vs. 67%). No factor in our model predicted chemotherapy receipt or RDI at a significant level. Pts with high God Locus of Control were somewhat more likely to start chemotherapy (OR 1.7, p=0.25) but were less likely to complete therapy (OR 0.55, p=0.19). The magnitude of these relationships held after controlling for age, race, comorbidities, cancer type, functional status, and social support. Conclusions: In a mixed sociodemographic cohort of patients, receipt and completion of adjuvant chemotherapy was similar by measured sociodemographic variables. Only high God Locus of Control was suggestive of being less likely to complete chemotherapy. Further attention and research on the role of religious beliefs in the cancer decision making process is warranted.

Religion and preventive service use: do congregational support and religious beliefs explain the relationship between attendance and utilization?

Religious individuals are more likely to engage in healthy practices, including using preventive services; however, the underlying mechanisms have not been adequately explored. To begin addressing this, the current study examines the association between religious attendance, four aspects of congregational support, two health-related religious beliefs, and the use of preventive services (cholesterol screening, flu shot, and colonoscopy) among a national sample of Presbyterian adults (n=1,076). The findings show that two aspects of congregational support are relevant to these types of behavioral health. First, church-based health activities are significantly related to the use of cholesterol screenings and flu shots (OR=1.13, P<.05; OR=1.10, P<.05, respectively). Second, discussing health-related issues with fellow church members is also significantly associated with reporting a cholesterol screening (OR=1.15, P<.05), as well as moderately predictive of colonoscopy use (OR=1.10, P<.10). Neither of the religious beliefs related to health, such as the God locus of health control scale or beliefs about the sanctity of the body, are related to preventive service use in this population. Although attendance is predictive of service use in unadjusted models, the association appears to be explained by age rather than by the congregational or belief variables. These findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the various ways in which religion might impact health behaviors and may also help to shape and refine interventions designed to improve individual well-being.

Religiosity, Self-Efficacy for Exercise, and African American Women

Physical inactivity among African American women persists despite health promotion efforts targeting this population. In the African American faith community, thinking patterns related to personal versus divine control over health status could affect self-efficacy beliefs and physical activity behavior. Religiosity, a determinate of self-efficacy for exercise, is influenced by culture. This exploratory pilot study assessed the psychometric properties and relevance of selected study instruments and relationships among the study variables in African American women recruited through a rural church. Findings indicated a trend toward significance among study variables and that the God Locus of Health Control and Physical Exercise Self-Efficacy Scales were reliable for capturing attitudes about ability to engage in physical activity and religiosity in this sample. Six of the twenty-five women recruited failed to complete the Stanford Brief Activity Survey for Work and Leisure Time Activity correctly, suggesting the need to revise instructions prior to future instrument administration.

Do Religious and Control Cognitions Predict Risky Behavior? I. Development and Validation of the Alcohol-related God Locus of Control Scale for Adolescents (AGLOC-A)

Adolescent alcohol use is a significant problem. Recent evidence suggests that an individual’s belief that God directly controls his or her alcohol use (i.e., alcohol-related God/Higher Power control) may have particular importance as a protective factor against alcohol use and abuse. However, this relationship has not been investigated in adolescents as there are no appropriate measures to examine such beliefs. To address this need, the present study developed and evaluated a measure of alcohol-related God/Higher Power control beliefs for adolescents (AGLOC-A). African American adolescents (N = 356) completed a questionnaire containing the AGLOC-A, alcohol-related internal control beliefs, and frequency of alcohol use and binge drinking in the past 30 days. Findings supported the AGLOC-A as a reliable and valid measure with AGLOC-A scores inversely related to alcohol involvement and distinct from religiosity and social desirability. Alcohol-related God/Higher Power control beliefs may be a useful protective factor against adolescent alcohol use and abuse.

Do Religious and Control Cognitions Predict Risky Behavior? II. Development and Validation of the Sexual Risk Behavior-related God Locus of Control Scale for Adolescents (SexGLOC-A)

Research has identified numerous correlates of sexual risk behaviors among adolescents. However, two potentially important cognitive constructs, perceived control and religious beliefs, have received considerably less attention. Research demonstrates that the most informative examination of the relationship of perceived control beliefs to sexual risk requires instruments that directly assess control beliefs specific to sexual risk behaviors. Further, beliefs about God as a source of control (e.g., the perception that God is [or is not] actively helping one to delay sexual contact, refuse engagement in high risk sexual behaviors, or limit the number of sexual partners) may influence adolescents’ decisions, yet there are no instruments available to examine such beliefs. This study describes the development of a measure of God control beliefs over sexual risk behavior and provides initial reliability and validity data. Results suggest that the Sexual Risk Behavior-related God Locus of Control measure for Adolescents (SexGLOC-A) is a reliable and valid measure having demonstrated high internal consistency and both convergent and discriminant validity.

Development and validation of the alcohol-related God locus of control scale

Control beliefs and spirituality appear to be important factors in recovery from alcoholism. However, the integration of these two constructs has received little attention, and the relationship of spiritually related control beliefs to recovery remains unclear. Currently no measures exist to specifically assess these beliefs. To address this need, the Alcohol-Related God Locus of Control scale (AGLOC) was developed. This 12-item self-report measure assesses perceptions of God/Higher Power's role in recovery from alcoholism. The AGLOC was administered to 144 recovering alcoholics attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a two-factor solution with one factor related to attributions of God control over initial cessation of drinking (Cessation) and the other factor related to attributions of God control over one's continued maintenance of sobriety (Maintenance). Both subscales and the overall scale demonstrated adequate to high internal consistency. Demonstrating convergent and discriminant validity, the total AGLOC scale and the Cessation subscale were significantly but moderately correlated with spirituality (both frequency and importance), and independent of perceptions of internal control over drinking. Maintenance subscale scores were inversely associated with internal drinking-related scores and were not associated with spiritual importance or frequency of spiritual practice. Findings support the utility of this instrument for the assessment of alcohol-related God/Higher Power locus of control beliefs in an alcoholic population and suggest the importance of further research on changes in alcohol-related God control beliefs throughout the course of recovery.

Spiritual Disposition and Understanding Illness

Although Dull and Skokan (1995) proposed a cognitive model of the effect of religion on health, they neglected to clearly identify the multi-dimensional nature of religion as a cognitive schema. The present paper identifies various aspects of spiritual disposition (defined as personality and beliefs) that can play a role in an individual’s adaptation to illness. Specifically, this paper reviews the factors of religious doctrine and affiliation, spiritual beliefs, religious orientation, God locus of control, faith and hope as aspects of a spiritual disposition and explores how they can function as resources and/or negative factors in the process of adjustment to illness. Implications for clinical health care (e.g., pastoral counsellors) are drawn from this review.

Screening behaviors among African American women at high risk for breast cancer: do beliefs about god matter?

To examine the relationship between beliefs about God as a controlling force in health and adherence to breast cancer screening among high-risk African American women. Cross-sectional cohort. In-person interviews in rural, southeastern Louisiana and telephone interviews conducted at the University of Utah. 52 females who were members of a large kindred with a BRCA1 mutation; no subjects had breast cancer. Survey through in-person or telephone interviews. Belief in God as a controlling agent over health measured by the God Locus of Health Control (GLHC) scale; screening behaviors measured by self-report. Adherence was based on consensus-approved recommendations for BRCA1 carriers or women at risk of being carriers. Bivariate analysis indicated that presence of a primary care provider and low GLHC scores were associated with seeking clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammography. With the variable "presence of a primary care provider" excluded, GLHC scores were inversely associated with seeking CBE and mammography. African American women at increased risk for breast cancer and with high GLHC scores may have a decreased inclination to adhere to CBE and mammography recommendations. Assessing religious and spiritual beliefs and incorporating belief systems into education and counseling sessions may improve understanding and acceptance of presented material.

Does God Determine Your Health? The God Locus of Health Control Scale

Although perceptions of internal control havebeen related to physical and psychosocial outcomes inchronic illness,less attention has been paid toperceptions of external sources of control and theirimplications for adaptation. One reason for this has beenthe dearth of adequate measures for assessing specificexternal control constructs. The God Locus of HealthControl (GLHC) scale was developed to assess the extent of an individual's belief that God controls hisor her health status. The GLHC was designed as anadjunct to the widely used Multidimensional Health Locusof Control (MHLC) scales. Initial studies of the psychometric properties of the GLHC scale insamples of persons with two rheumatic diseases,rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis, provideevidence of the scale's reliability andvalidity.