Coping Strategies Associated With Physical Activity and Healthy Dietary Practice Barriers Among Mexican and Central American Women

Author： Juarbe Teresa C.

Publisher： Springer Publishing Company

ISSN： 1938-8993

Source： Hispanic Health Care International, Vol.2, Iss.2, 2003-01, pp. : 51-61

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Abstract

We analyzed the coping strategies used by Latina women when confronted with barriers to engage in physical activity or dietary behaviors. The sample (N = 223) consisted mostly of low-income Mexican (n = 79) and Central American women (n = 144) ages 40 to 75. The majority (180, 81%) used multiple problem-solving coping strategies (PFCS) and emotion focused coping strategies (EFCS) when confronting barriers. Women using PFCS described being actively involved in finding solutions to potential barriers (71, 31.8%). Prayer and seeking spiritual guidance were the most frequently used EFCS (58, 26%). We observed no association between sociodemographic factors, weight, physical activity, or perceived barriers with coping strategies. Both groups used similar strategies, but Mexican American women were more likely to use PFCS (33, 41.8%), in particular finding solutions (34, 43%) and self-enforcing actions (6, 7.6%). Analizamos las estrategias utilizadas por Latinas adultas (N = 223) cuando enfrentan barreras para actividades físicas o dietas saludables. La muestra consiste de mujeres Mexicanas (n = 79) y Centre Americanas (n = 144) de 40 a 75 años de edad. La mayoría (180, 81%) utilizan múltiples estrategias. Algunas estrategias están enfocadas en el problema (EP), y otras en resoluciones de tipo emocional (EE). Las mujeres que usan estrategias EP, describen mayormente estar envueltas en encontrar solu-ciones (71, 31.8%). Las que utilizan estrategias EE, mayormente usan la oración y búsqueda espiritual (58, 26%). No encontramos asociación entre factores demográficos, peso, actividad física, percepción de barreras y las estrategias. Ambos grupos utilizan estrategias similares, pero las mujeres Mexicanas utilizan más estrategias EP (33, 41.8%), particularmente, la búsqueda de soluciones (34, 43%) y el auto-control (6, 7.6%).