“It’s up to you and God”: understanding health behavior change in older African American survivors of colorectal cancer

• DOI: 10.1007/s13142-012-0188-6
• Publication Date: 2013-02-11T21:11:30Z
• Authors: Felicity W K Harper; Andrea Nevedal; Susan Eggly; Carie Francis; Kendra Schwartz; Terrance L Albrecht
• Keywords: Fatalism; Health psychology; Thematic Analysis

This study investigated the beliefs and attitudes of older African American colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors that may influence health behavior changes after treatment. Drawing from existing theories change cultural about health, a semi-structured interview guide was developed to elicit survivors' perspectives. Qualitative focus groups interviews were conducted with 17 identified through Detroit Surveillance Epidemiology End Results registry. Using verbatim transcripts sessions NVivo software, thematic analysis analyze patterns responses. Transcripts coded for seven categories (health behaviors, who/what motivates change, self-efficacy, fatalism, religion/spirituality, cancer, race/ethnicity). Five themes emerged data (personal responsibility, resilience, desire information, intentions in divine control). Findings support relevance CRC survivors. Cultural considerations are suggested improve interventions seeking maximize diet exercise among this group