Date of Conferral
12-31-2025
Date of Award
December 2025
Degree
Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
School
Health Sciences
Advisor
Berthline Isma
Abstract
A persistent gap exists involving health outcomes for Black women in the United States, regardless of socioeconomic status when compared to Black men and White women. This qualitative case study involved exploring the influence of social support on health-seeking behaviors among Black women. Sixteen participants, between ages 22 to 49 from nine states, were recruited. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews based on the social support theory. An analysis of the network composition showed that family members (including mothers, fathers, sisters, and partners), friends, community support groups not connected to social media, and online community support groups were the most frequently prioritized stakeholders in health-seeking behaviors and decision-making. Thematic analysis further revealed four health-seeking behavior central themes: social support network empowers being in charge of one’s health as a persona, social support network acting as a safety net, health information triangulation, and umbrella medical advisory status. These findings highlight the critical role of social support networks in terms of motivating health behaviors, providing dependable safety nets, facilitating informed decision-making, and fostering trusted relationships with healthcare providers. Results suggest leveraging social support systems for this population may remove barriers and contribute to improved health outcomes that inform the design of public health interventions, with implications for professional practice and positive social change.
Recommended Citation
Saint Cyr-Hager, Patricia, "Associations Between Health-Seeking Behaviors and Social Support for Adult Black Women in the United States" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 18900.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/18900
