Fostering spirituality and psychosocial health through mind-body practices in underserved populations

Abstract

Background: This study examined changes in spirituality and psychosocial outcomes among African American and rural adults participating in a culturally-adapted mind-body intervention. Methods: African American (n = 22) and rural (n = 38) adults in Harmony & Health attended mind-body sessions twice a week for eight weeks and completed questionnaires on spirituality and psychosocial distress at baseline and post-intervention. Linear regression and repeated measures analyses were used to examine associations between intervention attendance and spirituality. Results: Attendance was significantly associated with increased spirituality (β=0.168, p = 013). Repeated measures analyses revealed a significant three-way interaction between attendance, spirituality, and study site (F(9,31)=2.891, p = 013). Urban African American participants who attended ≥75% of sessions reported greater increases in spirituality. Conclusion: Findings suggest that mind-body practices may foster spirituality in urban African American adults. Additional adaptations are needed to strengthen spirituality in rural residents and to improve psychosocial health and wellbeing in this underserved population.

Keywords

• Spirituality
• Mind-body therapies
• Psychological distress
• African Americans
• Rural health