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. 2023 Jan;51(1):251-269.
doi: 10.1002/jcop.22901. Epub 2022 Jun 14.

The role of sense of community in improving the health-related quality of life among Black Americans

Guillermo M Wippold  1 , Kaylyn A Garcia  1 , Sarah Grace Frary  1
Affiliations

The role of sense of community in improving the health-related quality of life among Black Americans

Guillermo M Wippold et al. J Community Psychol. 2023 Jan.

Abstract

Black Americans have the lowest life expectancy and health-related quality of life (HRQoL; a strong predictor of premature mortality) of any racial/ethnic group in the United States. Low rates of physical activity and engagement in healthy eating are two known contributors to low HRQoL. Black Americans are more likely to live in environments that inhibit engagement in these two contributors. The present study examined sense of community as a buffer against the adverse effects of low physical activity and healthy eating on HRQoL among Black Americans. A sample of 290 Black American adults were recruited for the present study. Results indicate that sense of community buffers against the adverse effects of low physical activity on HRQoL. The results of the present study can be used by health promotion interventionists and policy-makers to improve HRQoL and reduce premature mortality among Black Americans.

Keywords: Black Americans; health promotion; health-related quality of life; sense of community.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Graph of regression analysis of sense of community as moderator between physical activity and physical HRQoL. A significant interaction exists between sense of community and physical activity, with greater sense of community mitigating the adverse effects of low physical activity on physical HRQoL. HRQoL, health‐related quality of life.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Graph of regression analysis of sense of community as moderator between physical activity and psychological HRQoL. A significant interaction exists between sense of community and physical activity, with greater sense of community mitigating the adverse effects of low physical activity on psychological HRQoL. HRQoL, health‐related quality of life.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Graph of regression analysis of sense of community as moderator between healthy eating and physical HRQoL. A mitigating trend of high sense of community on physical HRQoL is observed among moderate engagers in healthy eating. HRQoL, health‐related quality of life.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Regression analysis of sense of community as moderator between healthy eating and psychological HRQoL. A mitigating trend of high sense of community on psychological HRQoL is observed among moderate engagers in healthy eating. HRQoL, health‐related quality of life.
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