The relationship between religious beliefs and behaviors and changes in spiritual health locus of control over time in a national sample of African Americans.

Using data from a sample of African Americans, the present study examined the role of religious beliefs and behaviors in predicting changes in spiritual health locus of control (SHLOC), or beliefs about the role that God plays in a person's health. A national sample of African American adults was recruited using a telephone survey and re-contacted 2.5 years later. Overall, results indicated that both higher religious beliefs and behaviors predicted increases in active SHLOC, or the view that one collaboratively works with God to maintain one's health. However, only religious behaviors predicted increases in passive SHLOC, or the view that because God is in complete control of health that one's own behaviors are unnecessary. Among men, religious beliefs predicted strengthening active SHLOC beliefs, while religious behaviors predicted growing passive SHLOC beliefs. Among women, religious behaviors predicted strengthening active and passive SHLOC beliefs.