Strategies for Designing Clergy and Spouse Obesity-Related Programs

Purpose: Clergy have influence on the health of congregations and communities yet struggle with health behaviors. Interventions tailored to their occupation-specific demands and unique needs may provide a solution. Qualitative methods were used to identify opportunities and resources for the develop...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of health promotion 2021-03, Vol.35 (3), p.399-408
Main Authors: Harmon, Brook E., Strayhorn, Shaila M., West, Nathan T., Schmidt, Michael, Webb, Benjamin L., Grant, Lindsey, Smith, Stacy
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavior change
Clergy
Diet
Exercise
Focus groups
Goal setting
Health behavior
Health promotion
Health technology assessment
Healthy food
Intervention
Obesity
Physical activity
Qualitative research
Religious congregations
Spouses
Stress management
Traditions
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Summary:Purpose: Clergy have influence on the health of congregations and communities yet struggle with health behaviors. Interventions tailored to their occupation-specific demands and unique needs may provide a solution. Qualitative methods were used to identify opportunities and resources for the development of an effective obesity-related program for clergy. Approach: Ninety-minute focus groups were held with clergy (3 groups) and spouses (3 separate groups). Discussion explored: Program target(s); Opportunities and barriers that influence diet, physical activity, and stress-reduction practices; Empowering and culturally relevant health promotion strategies. Setting: All study activities took place in Memphis, TN. Participants: Eighteen clergy and fourteen spouses participated. All clergy were male, all spouses were female. Method: Previous research with clergy informed the interview guide and the PEN-3 framework aided in organizing the coding of clergy and spouse focus groups. Focus groups were audio recorded and transcripts analyzed using NVivo® 12. Results: Themes included: 1) Intervention targets—clergy, spouses, congregations; 2) Opportunities and barriers—making time, establishing boundaries, church traditions, individuals who support and hinder behavior change; 3) Intervention strategies—tools for healthy eating, goal setting, camaraderie, combining face-to-face with eHealth modalities. Conclusion: The relationship between clergy, spouse, and congregation make it important for obesity-related programs to target the unique needs of both clergy and spouses. Strategies should focus on healthy eating and personal connections no matter the modality used.
ISSN:0890-1171
2168-6602
DOI:10.1177/0890117120960574