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Published on: January 12, 2018
Social support and companionship among active African American women
Amy E Harley1, Mira L Katz, Catherine A Heaney
1University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, College of Health Sciences, Center for Urban Population Health, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA. harley@uwm.edu
Objective:
To examine the role of physical activity (PA) companions in supporting PA participation among African American women.
Methods:
Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus groups. Fifteen physically active African American women participated in the study. Grounded theory data analysis techniques were used to develop a taxonomy depicting roles of PA companions for African American women.
Results:
PA companions functioned in 4 different roles: motivational, social, facilitative, and instructional. Supportive behaviors associated with each role were also elucidated.
Conclusions:
These findings provide an understanding for the function of companions in sustaining active lifestyle that can be used to inform intervention development.
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