Abstract
This research study explores the impact of religious affiliation and spirituality on the acculturation and health outcomes of continental African immigrants in the USA. These immigrants, distinct from the broader African American or Black population, bring unique religious, spiritual, and cultural norms, profoundly influencing their health behaviors and acculturation processes. Unlike the descendants of Africans living outside the continent, referred to as the African diaspora, continental Africans are specifically those born in Africa. This research operationalizes the term 'continental African' to focus on this unique group residing in the USA, aiming to deepen understanding of their specific health needs and cultural contexts.
The acculturation of continental African immigrants is significantly shaped by their deep-seated religiosity or spirituality, which often merges the secular with the sacred, challenging the separation of the material and divine. This blurred distinction influences their daily living and health outcomes as they navigate the stresses of acculturation, necessitating tailored health interventions. The profound religious and spiritual engagement of this group calls for a disaggregated approach in health data analysis, separating their data from the monolithic Black or African American health data to address health disparities effectively.
Moreover, the principle of hypodescent or the "one-drop rule," which categorizes individuals with any degree of African ancestry as Black, complicates the racial identity and health data analysis of mixed-race individuals. This research contends that such historical categorizations obscure the unique health profiles of continental African immigrants, who differ significantly from other Black subgroups in the USA, each with distinct health, social, and emotional needs.
This research analyzed how religious beliefs and spirituality intersect with the acculturation and health behaviors of continental African immigrants, facilitating the creation of more effective health policies and interventions tailored to their specific contexts. By integrating epigenetics and a nuanced understanding of racial classification, this study seeks to contribute to the broader discourse on immigration, health equity, and the complexity of the Black experience in the USA.
Keywords: acculturation, health outcomes, continental African immigrants, spirituality, religious affiliation, hypodescent, epigenetics, pastoral care, practical theology, USA.
LLU Discipline
Religion and Health
Department
Religion
School
School of Religion
First Advisor
Janice P. De-Whyte
Second Advisor
Siroj Sorajjakool
Third Advisor
Gerald R. Winslow
Degree Name
Doctor of Science (DSc)
Degree Level
D.Sc.
Year Degree Awarded
2024
Date (Title Page)
6-2024
Language
English
Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings
United States; Spirituality; Acculturation; Health Equity; Religion; Emigration and Immigration; Health Behavior; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Immigrants, Africa.
Type
Dissertation
Page Count
xi; 248 p.
Digital Format
Digital Publisher
Loma Linda University Libraries
Copyright
Author
Usage Rights
This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.
Recommended Citation
Ekong, Samuel A., "The Impact of Religion and Spirituality on Continental African Immigrant Health" (2024). Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects. 2682.
https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/2682
Collection
Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Collection Website
http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/
Repository
Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives
