Denominational and Gender Differences in Hypertension Among African American Christian Young Adults

Authors: Paul A. Robbins, Melissa J. Scott, Eugenia Conde, Yannet Daniel, William A. Darity Jr. & Keisha L. Bentley-Edwards 

Abstract: Hypertension, a major cardiovascular disease risk factor, is disproportionately prevalent among African American young adults. Religion and spirituality (R/S) have been studied for their potential effect on blood pressure (BP) outcomes. Despite their disproportionate hypertension risk and high levels of R/S engagement, limited research explores BP differences among religious African Americans. This study investigates whether denominational affiliation predicts within-group differences in odds of having hypertension among African American Christian young adults. Data from Wave IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) were used to examine hypertension differences between 1932 African American young adults based on self-reported religious denomination. Gender-separated logistic regressions included religious service attendance and coping measures, as well as personal characteristics and health behaviors to adjust for potential effects on BP. The odds of having hypertension were higher for Pentecostal women compared to Baptist and Catholic women. Hypertension odds for women who reported attending services more than once weekly were lower than those who never attended church. For women, frequent use of religious coping predicted higher odds of having hypertension than seldom or never using religious coping. R/S variables did not predict significant differences among men. The health benefits of R/S do not appear to be consistent within African American Christian young adults. Religion may be viewed as a source of BP risk and resilience, especially among African American young women.

Key Findings

  • The health benefits of religious engagement are not consistent across African American Christian young adults.
  • African American Pentecostal women between the ages of 24 and 32 had greater odds of having hypertension than their Baptist and Catholic counterparts.
  • Religion simultaneously may be a source of blood pressure risk and resilience for African American young women.

Recommendations

  • Researchers and practitioners should account for the cultural diversity within African American religious communities, including historically Black Christian denominations.
  • Church-based health initiatives should consider how to adapt church support structures to better serve young Pentecostal women and those who heavily rely on religious coping.
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