Black Women's Perspectives on Seeking Social Support for Physical Activity: A Qualitative Study

Black and African American (Black) women in the US experience disproportionately high rates of hypertension (HTN) and low levels of physical activity (PA). Social support (SS) is recognized as an important component of PA promotion, yet less is known about how Black women get SS for PA. This study explored Black women's perspectives on seeking SS for PA and their confidence in doing so. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with adults aged 40-65 years who self-identified as Black women with HTN. A purposive sampling strategy was used to recruit a balance of physically active and inactive women. Interviews were conducted by phone, transcribed verbatim and coded by three researchers. Emergent themes were identified using Thematic Analysis. Twenty-three women were on average 56 years old; 44% were inactive and 44% low income, completed interviews. Two themes emerged: 1) Pathways to building SS for PA with subthemes of building connections with like-minded individuals, utilizing support resources, creating a safe space and taking responsibility and planning ahead, and 2) Varied willingness to seek social support for PA with subthemes reflecting strong willingness to seek support, context-dependent willingness, and hesitation in seeking SS for PA. Participants valued trustworthy, inclusive, and encouraging forms of support, but many described hesitations in seeking support. Future studies should explore the best strategies for building trust, developing peer relationships, and enhancing communication for getting the kind of SS that is important to initiate and maintain PA for Black women with HTN.