Table 2.

Summary statistics for sociodemographic, anthropometric, hair product, and personal care product variables in SELF (n=425).

Characteristic	Mean (SD) or N (%)
Sociodemographic variables
Age (years)	32.2 (3.4)
Annual household income
<$20,000	155 (36.5%)
$20,000–50,000	168 (39.5%)
>$50,000	102 (24.0%)
Educational attainment
High school degree/GED	63 (14.8%)
Some college/Associate’s/Technical school	224 (52.7%)
≥Bachelor’s degree	138 (32.5%)
Employment status
Not employed	77 (18.1%)
Employed <30 hours/week	54 (12.7%)
Employed ≥30 hours/week	294 (69.2%)
Marital status
Never married	166 (39.1%)
Currently married or living as married	82 (19.3%)
Previously married	177 (41.6%)
Hair product use in the past 12 months
100% petroleum jelly1
Non-use	357 (84.0%)
Ever use	68 (16.0%)
Hair gloss1
Non-use	377 (88.7%)
Ever use	48 (11.3%)
Henna1,2
Non-use	405 (95.3%)
Ever use	20 (4.7%)
Rinses that fade1
Non-use	352 (82.8%)
Ever use	73 (17.2%)
Semi-permanent dye1
Non-use	346 (81.4%)
Ever use	79 (18.6%)
Bleach, frost, or highlight1
Non-use	357 (84.0%)
Ever use	68 (16.0%)
Permanent dye3
Non-use	313 (73.6%)
Moderate use	92 (21.7%)
High use	20 (4.7%)
100% shea butter4
Non-use	300 (70.6%)
Moderate use	58 (13.6%)
High use	67 (15.8%)
Natural plant-based oils4
Non-use	254 (59.8%)
Moderate use	76 (17.9%)
High use	95 (22.3%)
Hair food4
Non-use	280 (65.9%)
Moderate use	72 (16.9%)
High use	73 (17.2%)
Moisturizing creams or lotions5
Non-use	194 (45.7%)
Low use	38 (8.9%)
Moderate use	60 (14.1%)
High use	133 (31.3%)
Conditioners, crème rinses, or detanglers5
Non-use	96 (22.6%)
Low use	45 (10.6%)
Moderate use	142 (33.4%)
High use	142 (33.4%)
Styling products5
Non-use	53 (12.5%)
Low use	57 (13.4%)
Moderate use	102 (24.0%)
High use	213 (50.1%)
Relaxers, straighteners, or perms6
Non-use	245 (57.6%)
Low use	43 (10.1%)
Moderate use	90 (21.2%)
High use	47 (11.1%)
Hair product use in the past 24 hours
Hair products (spray, gel, oil, or mousse)
No	233 (54.8%)
Yes	192 (45.2%)
Chemical treatments (hair color, relaxers)2
No	420 (98.8%)
Yes	5 (1.2%)
Type of hair relaxer, straightener, or perm ever used 7
Permanent relaxer with lye
No	264 (62.1%)
Yes	161 (37.9%)
Permanent relaxer with low lye
No	295 (69.5%)
Yes	130 (30.5%)
Permanent relaxer with thio
No	413 (97.2%)
Yes	12 (2.8%)
Permanent relaxer, unsure of content
No	298 (70.1%)
Yes	127 (29.9%)
Temporary relaxer with keratin
No	348 (81.9%)
Yes	77 (18.1%)
Temporary relaxer without keratin
No	390 (91.8%)
Yes	35 (8.2%)
Temporary relaxer, unsure of content
No	317 (74.6%)
Yes	108 (25.4%)
Frequency of use by relaxer type8
Never use, temporary relaxer use only, or non-use in past 12 months	305 (71.8%)
Ever use of both temporary and permanent relaxers	29 (6.8%)
Use of permanent relaxers only with low use in past 12 months	21 (4.9%)
Use of permanent relaxers only with moderate use in past 12 months	41 (9.7%)
Use of permanent relaxers only with high use in past 12 months	29 (6.8%)
Personal care product use in the past 24 hours7
Perfume
No	154 (36.2%)
Yes	271 (63.8%)
Lotions or cream before bed
No	270 (63.5%)
Yes	155 (36.5%)
Make-up
No	91 (21.4%)
Yes	334 (78.6%)
Nail polish
No	393 (92.5%)
Yes	32 (7.5%)

¹Ever use vs. never use in the previous 12 months.

²Excluded from regression analyses due to low reported use.

³Moderate use= 1–3 times/year, high use= ≥4 times/year.

⁴Moderate use= <1 time/month or 1–3 times/month, high use= ≥1 times/week.

⁵Low use= <1 time/month, moderate use= 1–3 times/month, high use= ≥1 times/week.

⁶Low use= 1 time/year, moderate use= 2–5 times/year, high use= ≥6 times/year.

⁷Variables used in secondary analyses only.

⁸Variable created by combing ever use of relaxer type variables with frequency of relaxer use in the past 12-month variable.