Leading Their Flocks to Health? Clergy Health and the Role of Clergy in Faith-Based Health Promotion Interventions

Bopp, Melissa; Baruth, Meghan; Peterson, Jane A.; Webb, Benjamin L.

doi:10.1097/fch.0b013e31828e671c

Cited by 59 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…The clergy are an important example of ‘gateway providers’ because they have a salient influence over their institutions and shape the physical and social environments for community health (Bopp et al . ). The clergy's knowledge and perceptions of mental health may determine the success of efforts to identify and address mental health needs in their congregation and the broader community (Taylor et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…The GPM emphasises the role of key community individuals who can facilitate the identification of mental health issues and provide a gateway to mental health services (Stiffman et al 2006, Ellis et al 2010. The clergy are an important example of 'gateway providers' because they have a salient influence over their institutions and shape the physical and social environments for community health (Bopp et al 2013). The clergy's knowledge and perceptions of mental health may determine the success of efforts to identify and address mental health needs in their congregation and the broader community (Taylor et al 2000, Yamada et al 2012.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mental health literacy in religious leaders: a qualitative study of Korean American Clergy

Jang

Park

Yoon

et al. 2016

Health Soc Care Community

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Although religious leaders in ethnic minority communities are often the first point of contact for mental health needs, little is known about their mental health literacy. The aim of the current study was to explore the knowledge and beliefs about depression held by Korean American clergy, using a qualitative approach. The Gateway Provider Model (GPM) and Jorm's conceptualisation of mental health literacy served as a framework for the enquiry. Seventeen clergy members serving in Korean communities in two U.S. metropolitan cities participated in an individual in-depth interview during the spring of 2013. Using the constant comparison method, the research team coded the data independently, compared and modified codes, and derived major categories and themes in consensus approach. Eight themes emerged from the interviews, and they were grouped into five categories: (i) the ability to identify the problem; (ii) knowledge about causes and risk factors; (iii) knowledge and beliefs about treatment; (iv) knowledge about resources and services; and (v) contextual factors. Despite some variations, a majority of the participants acknowledged that depression is an important issue in the Korean American community and felt a sense of responsibility for the well-being of their community members. The findings highlight the need for mental health education and training for religious leaders in ethnic minority communities to help them properly respond to community mental health needs.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental health literacy in religious leaders: a qualitative study of Korean American Clergy

Jang

Park

Yoon

et al. 2016

Health Soc Care Community

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“…According to one study, clergy reporting more comfort in providing health counseling and who had more positive perceptions of their own health were more likely to engage in health counseling in their FBOs [17]. Evidence also indicates that clergy with more positive health and behaviors are more likely to engage in health promotion in FBOs [18,19]. These findings are promising, but it is unknown if the health and behaviors of clergy influence whether they promote specific domains of health behavior such as PA.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 56%

Practicing What They Preach? Physical Activity Promotion among Clergy

Webb¹,

Bopp²

2017

JPAR

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A key public health goal in the U.S. is to increase the number of people that engage in regular physical activity. Faith-based organizations are prominent in many communities, making them a viable partner in pursuit of this goal. As leaders of FBOs, clergy are uniquely positioned to promote physical activity to a large segment of the U.S. population. The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with physical activity promotion among clergy. A convenience sample of clergy (N = 497) from the largest denominations in Pennsylvania completed web-based questionnaires about their physical activity promotion practices. Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios of clergy promoting physical activity. Forty-five percent of clergy reported that they had promoted physical activity to their congregation during sermons and 14% reported promoting physical activity during one-on-one counseling. Notable findings were that clergy who were female, reported fewer chronic diseases, had more health-related education, and were meeting physical activity recommendations were more likely to promote physical activity. The results of this study indicate that gender, health status, health-related education, and engaging in regular physical activity may be important influences on whether clergy promote physical activity to their congregations. More research is needed to better understand additional characteristics of clergy who engage in physical activity promotion, as well as whether changes in physical activity behavior would lead to changes in physical activity promotion practices among clergy.

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“…Examination of other studies have revealed high rates of clergy burn-out and stress related issues (Bopp, Baruth, Peterson & Webb, 2013;Weaver, Flannelly, Larson, Stapleton, & Koenig, 2002), suggesting that the inclusions of policies for mental health, as mentioned by faith leaders in this study, are essential for improving and maintaining all aspects of health. The development of tailored policies to address clergy health, in partnership with health insurance providers, could result in healthier church environments, based on the link shown in other studies that have found that healthier faith leaders are more likely to have more health promotion programs in their own churches (Bopp & Fallon, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clergy Perceptions of Denominational, Doctrine and Seminary School Support for Health and Wellness in Churches

Bopp

Webb

Baruth

et al. 2013

International Journal of Social Science Studies

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Background: Churches are a viable community partner for reaching large populations for health promotion interventions. Despite their usefulness, little is known about the institutional capacity or beliefs of churches toward health. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine how a churches' doctrine, parent organization (e.g. conference/diocese), and leader training (e.g. seminary school) perceive and support health-related issues.Design & Methods: Clergy (n=24) from multiple denominations participated in a semi-structured interview. The interviewer asked questions about the doctrine/philosophy of their church on health, parent organization support for health, and education and training on health. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and coded.Results: Clergy reported that stewardship and holistic views on health were a part of their churches' doctrine. Health insurance programs and clergy wellness initiatives were the most common form of health-related support from parent organizations. The majority of clergy reported minimal or no instruction on health during their education/training, and desired instruction on self-care in seminary school. These results indicate there are a number of institutional influences on health and wellness within churches.Conclusions: Future programs could include policy and environment level initiatives to address clergy health, and the development of culturally tailored intervention concurrent with church doctrine.

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Leading Their Flocks to Health? Clergy Health and the Role of Clergy in Faith-Based Health Promotion Interventions

Cited by 59 publications

References 58 publications

Mental health literacy in religious leaders: a qualitative study of Korean American Clergy

Mental health literacy in religious leaders: a qualitative study of Korean American Clergy

Practicing What They Preach? Physical Activity Promotion among Clergy

Clergy Perceptions of Denominational, Doctrine and Seminary School Support for Health and Wellness in Churches

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