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Title: THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS ON PSYCHO-SOCIAL BELIEF IN RURAL LOWER MISSISSIPPI DELTA RESIDENTS

Author
item THORNTON, ALMA - SOUTHERN UNIV AND A&M COL
item MCGEE, BERNESTINE - SOUTHERN UNIV AND A&M COL
item PAERATAKUL, SAHASPORN - SOUTHERN UNIV AND A&M COL
item MELLAD, KIRKLAND - SOUTHERN UNIV AND A&M COL
item EUBANKS, GINA - SOUTHERN UNIV AND A&M COL
item FOMBY, BETTY - SOUTHERN UNIV AND A&M COL
item GOSSETT, JEFF - ACHRI-DAC
item BARDELL, KIMBERLY - SOUTHERN UNIV AND A&M COL

Submitted to: Race, Gender and Class
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/15/2005
Publication Date: 2/13/2006
Citation: Thornton, A., McGee, B., Paeratakul, S., Mellad, K., Eubanks, G., Fomby, B., Gossett, J., Bardell, K. 2006. The Influence of socio-demographic factors on psycho-social beliefs in rural Lower Mississippi Delta residents. Race, Gender and Class. 13(1-2):154-167.

Interpretive Summary: Interpretive Summary: This study examined four major psycho-social variables, health belief, social influence, health locus of control, and self efficacy in rural lower Mississippi Delta residents. Socio-demographic variables of race, education and income were used to measure differences in perception of attitudes of importance of others in shaping normative beliefs, placement of primary responsibility for health outcome (locus of control) and beliefs about staying healthy and preventing diseases. Two hundred sixty eight (268) Delta residents were systematically surveyed resulting in 249 usable interviews. Chi Square analysis was used to assess differences. Differences in health belief, locus of control, social influence and self-efficacy were found to vary by race, education, income and food assistance status. Significant differences were found between (1) race and food assistance status and health belief; (2) race and social influence; (3) race, food assistance status, education and health locus of control; and (4) race, food assistance status, income, education and self-efficacy.

Technical Abstract: This study examined four major psycho-social variables, health belief, social influence, health locus of control, and self efficacy in rural lower Mississippi Delta residents. Socio-demographic variables of race, education and income were used to measure differences in perception of attitudes of importance of others in shaping normative beliefs, placement of primary responsibility for health outcome (locus of control) and beliefs about staying healthy and preventing diseases. Two hundred sixty eight (268) Delta residents were systematically surveyed resulting in 249 usable interviews. Chi Square analysis was used to assess differences. Differences in health belief, locus of control, social influence and self-efficacy were found to vary by race, education, income and food assistance status. Significant differences were found between (1) race and food assistance status and health belief; (2) race and social influence; (3) race, food assistance status, education and health locus of control; and (4) race, food assistance status, income, education and self-efficacy.