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Assessing Hair Concerns and Physical Activity Measures Among African American Women: a Mixed-Method Exploratory Study

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Abstract

Objectives

Research on the association between hair concerns and physical activity (PA) constructs among African American (AA) women is lacking. Demographics such as age and income are indicated to influence hair concerns. In this study, quantitative methods were used to assess demographic differences in hair concerns and associations between hair concerns and PA. Qualitative interviewing explored AA women’s views about their hair and engagement in PA.

Methods

Participants (n = 48; M age = 37.57, SD = 13.72) completed a survey that included demographics, hair type and hairstyle management (HTHM), decisional balance (pros, cons), perceived benefits and perceived barriers scale, and level of physical activity. HTHM consists of six items measuring different factors related to hair concerns. 25 completed a qualitative interview. Chi-square or analysis of variance tests were conducted as appropriate. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis.

Results

Proportion differences were noted between age groups (≤ 32 vs. ≥ 33) and average cost of haircare per month (p = .048). A statistically significant effect was noted for average monthly haircare cost and pros (p = .05), and for alter behavior due to hair concerns and perceived benefits to physical activity (p = .05). For level of physical activity, proportion differences were noted between exercisers and non-exercisers for average minutes spent on hair care (p = .009). Qualitative results showed few participants view hair concern as an important barrier to PA. Some participants suggested strategies for overcoming hair concerns to exercise (e.g., braids, twists).

Conclusion

Implications of findings including development of PA intervention approaches that may appeal to AA women are discussed.

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Data Availability

The data can be available with permission consistent with our institution guidelines.

Notes

  1. The term “locks” is used instead of dreadlocks since the latter is indicated among some African Americans to have a negative connotation—that is, this hairstyle is “dreadful” or “dirty.”.

  2. TWA is described as a short natural hairstyle where the hair length is no longer than two inches.

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Funding

Research reported in this paper was supported by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (award number T32 5T32HL076134-10). While completing this paper, Dr. Sillice was supported by the K23-Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (award number K23MD014164).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. City University of New York School of Public & Health Policy, 55 W 125Th St, New York, NY, 10027, USA

    Marie Aline Sillice

  2. Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ, 08102, USA

    Tamara Nelson

  3. Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, 02906, USA

    Ernestine Jennings & Beth C. Bock

  4. Department of Sociology, State University of New York at Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, 11568, USA

    Curtis C. Holland

Authors
  1. Marie Aline Sillice
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  2. Tamara Nelson
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  4. Curtis C. Holland
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  5. Beth C. Bock
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by Marie A Sillice, Ernestine Jennings, and Beth C Bock. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Marie Aline Sillice and Tamara Nelson, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marie Aline Sillice.

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The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Ethics Approval

This study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was granted by the Institutional Review Board at The Miriam Hospital (No. 857242–12).

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Sillice, M.A., Nelson, T., Jennings, E. et al. Assessing Hair Concerns and Physical Activity Measures Among African American Women: a Mixed-Method Exploratory Study. J. Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities 11, 226–237 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-023-01513-9

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