Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Health Education and Promotion

Advisor

Lori Dewald

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes is a leading cause of death among African American women ages 20-44 years, and African American female college students are at high risk. Research shows that college students tend to underestimate their susceptibility to Type 2 diabetes, despite their existing risk factors. There is a gap in knowledge concerning African American female college students and their perception of diabetes susceptibility, despite their increased risk. The purpose of this quantitative nonexperimental, correlational study was to identify the factors associated with perceived personal susceptibility to Type 2 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes-related health behavior among African American female college students. The theoretical framework was the health belief model. A convenience sample of 116 African American female college students, 18–24 years of age and without Type 2 diabetes, were recruited to complete a self-report survey. Analysis featuring a simple linear regression and an independent sample t-test showed that participants had a low Type 2 diabetes risk perception and moderate Type 2 diabetes-related health behavior. Perceived peer susceptibility, self-efficacy, and actual Type 2 diabetes risk were the factors significantly related to perceived personal susceptibility. Self-efficacy was the only factor that had a significant relationship with health behavior. This study can potentially effect positive social change by informing the development of health education programming that promotes awareness of Type 2 diabetes risk factors and susceptibility. Greater awareness of risk factors and susceptibility may encourage healthier behaviors among African American female college students.

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