Demographic factors: interaction effects on health-promoting behavior and health related factors

Exploring the impacts of media use and media trust on health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in China

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of traditional media, social media, and media trust on people’s compliance with health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. A total of 3000 Chinese adults filled online questionnaire using quota sampling method. Results show that use of central government media and use of WeChat are positively related to compliance with health behaviors, while use of local media and use of Weibo are negatively related to the levels of compliance. In addition, trust in the media amplified the effects of media use on levels of compliance.

Health and Well-Being in Early Adolescents Using Rogers’ Science of Unitary Human Beings

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of perceived field motion and human field rhythms to perceived health status, health conception, and well-being in early adolescents to determine which health-related variables are most compatible with Rogers’science of unitary human beings. The sample of 142 early adolescents responded to the study instruments in classrooms. The correlations between perceived field motion and each of the other variables were statistically significant, and increased in magnitude from perceived health status to health conception to well-being. These results give credence to Rogers’evolving philosophical belief that the term wellbeing is more compatible than health in her science.

An Integrative Review of Positive Health Practices

This study presents an integrative review of published research articles on positive health practices (PHP) as defined by Muhlenkamp and Brown. Using Cooper's guidelines for accomplishing an integrative review, 29 relevant studies concerning PHP were located, reviewed, and critiqued; theoretical and methodological issues emerging from the studies were identified. Directions for future research on PHP are specified. Implications for nursing practice derived from the research findings are addressed.

Problem-Solving Appraisal and Human Adjustment

This article reviews and synthesizes more than 120 studies from 20 years (1982-2002) of research that has examined problem-solving appraisal as measured by the Problem Solving Inventory (PSI). The goals of the article are fourfold: (a) introduce the construct of problem-solving appraisal and the PSI within the applied problem-solving literature, (b) summarize and integrate existing findings using the PSI within and across four major content areas (psychological adjustment, physical health, coping, and educational and vocational issues), (c) identify promising research directions that might stimulate future research and promote theory development, and (d) identify implications for practitioners in the helping professions. We conclude that problem-solving appraisal as measured by the PSI is a useful psychological construct with implications for theory and many applications to build on peoples' strengths to enhance their life satisfaction and well-being.

Effects of Religious Behavior on Health-Related Lifestyles of Muslims in Malaysia

Religion has become more prominent in shaping attitudes and behavior, but little empirical information is available on the impact of religious behavior in shaping individual Muslims' health-related lifestyle behaviors in developing countries. The present study explores the relationship between religious behavior and the health-related practices of Malaysian Muslims. A convenience sample of 176 Malaysian Muslims was collected through a self-administered questionnaire. Structural equation modeling was used to develop the model. Result shows that health-related actions are strongly influenced, both directly and indirectly, by the health-related lifestyle choices consumers engaging in on a daily basis in accordance with Islamic teachings.

The Appraisal of Self-Care Agency Scale - Revised (ASAS-R): adaptation and construct validity in the Brazilian context

This study presents the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Appraisal of Self-Care Agency Scale - Revised (ASAS-R). The sample was made up of 627 subjects (69.8% women) aged between 18 and 88 years (mean = 38.3; SD = 13.26) from 17 Brazilian states. Exploratory factor analysis of part of the sample (n1 = 200) yielded a three-factor solution which showed adequate levels of reliability. Two confirmatory factor analyses of the other part of the sample (n2 = 427) tested both the exploratory and the original model. The analysis of convergent validity using the Subjective Happiness Scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey Version 2 (SF-36v2) demonstrated adequate levels of validity. A significant correlation was found between levels of self-care agency and age, level of education and income. The analysis of sample members with chronic disease (n = 134) showed that higher levels of self-care agency indicated lower levels of negative impact of the chronic illness in the individual's everyday life.

A comparison of physical health status, self-esteem, family support and health-promoting behaviours between aged living alone and living with family in Korea

AIMS

This study examined and compared the physical health status, self-esteem, family support and health-promoting behaviours between aged living alone and the aged living with family.

BACKGROUND

As the Korean population ages, the number of older people living alone is steadily rising. Previous studies have been conducted to define the factors affecting the health of older people. However, research studies focused on the impact of family support, which potentially affects the overall health of older people, have been rarely conducted.

DESIGN

This was a comparative descriptive design.

METHODS

The survey included a set of four questionnaires. All measures were self-administered. In the data analysis, descriptive statistics were used to analyse the demographic characteristics. The Chi-square test and independent t-test were used to examine the differences between the aged living alone and the aged living with family.

RESULTS

The physical health status (t=-40·85, p<0·001), self-esteem (t=-26·75, p<0·001), family support (t=-16·46, p<0·001) and health-promoting behaviours, specifically exercise (t=-15·86, p<0·001) and nutrition (t=-17·29, p<0·001), of the aged living with family were higher than that of the aged living alone.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that the aged living with family exhibited better physical health status, self-esteem and health-promoting behaviours than the aged living alone.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Clinical practice should be focused on emotional support with family or society for Korean aged, especially the aged living alone. Also, the practice should be adjusted to encourage the health-promoting behaviour for them as well.

Postpartum Taiwanese women: their postpartum depression, social support and health-promoting lifestyle profiles

BACKGROUND

To reach the Millennium Development Goals, maternal health-promoting behaviours need to be encouraged after childbirth; little is known about the health-promoting behaviour among first-time mothers during their postpartum period.

AIM

To examine levels of engagement in health-promoting behaviours and related factors among postpartum women in Taiwan.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted through a convenience sample of 122 qualified women. Participants self-completed a questionnaire and mailed it back using a stamped, self-addressed envelope from July to September 2003. Instruments of this study included a demographic questionnaire as well as three Likert-type scales: the Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile scale, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression scale and a self-developed social support scale.

RESULTS

The average overall Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile score was low (mean, 2.83 SD 1.35), with exercise rated lowest among the six subscales. Postpartum women perceived that they had high levels of social support from their mothers-in-law, mothers and husbands. An astonishing 42.6% of women experienced postnatal depression. Based on results of multiple regressions, 25% of the variance in health-promoting lifestyle practices was explained by postpartum depression and social support. Social support was found to predict all subscales significantly except exercise. Postpartum depression can significantly predict self-actualization, interpersonal relationships, nutrition and stress management. All modifying factors were excluded from the regression model.

CONCLUSIONS

This study validates the theoretical relationships among concepts in the Health Promotion Model. Nursing interventions are recommended which are tailored to enhance women's social support and decrease their depression to promote their pursuit of healthy lifestyles.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

This study highlights the implications of social support to nursing practice, especially in Chinese culture which has a strict ritual during a women's postpartum period. Findings of this study provide information and data for service planning and community care to support postpartum care in the communities.

Health behaviors of low-income pregnant minority women

Preventive and health promoting behaviors in pregnant minority women can be used to develop approaches to encourage healthy lifestyle and optimal utilization of health services, and to obtain better outcomes of pregnancy. Using the Health Promotion Model as a theoretical framework, this study employed a cross-sectional survey design to investigate factors that related to health behaviors of low-income pregnant Mexican American and African American women in selected sites in the southeast portion of the state of Texas. Results showed that Mexican American women had a significantly higher mean on the Powerful Others Locus of Control measure than the African American women. For African American subjects, the strongest effect was exerted by the social support variable, which had a negative effect on the health behavior variable. Findings suggest that more studies are needed to identify specific determinants of health promoting activities during pregnancy in ethnic minority groups. Designing programs that would motivate early involvement of low-income pregnant minority women in health care should be a top priority for professionals in maternity practice.

Psychometrics of the Laffrey Health Conception Scale for Adolescents

The purposes of this methodological study were to factor analyze the Laffrey Health Conception Scale (LHCS) and to assess construct validity of the instrument with early adolescents. The final sample consisted of 230 early adolescents, aged 12 to 14, who responded to instrument packets in classrooms in an urban middle school. Data obtained on the LHCS were subjected to principal components factor analysis with oblique rotation. A two-factor solution was accepted, which is consistent with early adolescents’ conceptions of health. Factor I was labeled Wellness and Factor II was labeled Clinical Health. A higher order factor analysis yielded one factor with 26 items, labeled the LHCS for Early Adolescents. The 26-item LHCS had a coefficient alpha of .95. Construct validity was assessed by testing three theoretical propositions, which significantly linked health conception to social support, self-esteem, and positive health practices. The findings indicate that the LHCS is a reliable and valid measure of health conceptions in early adolescents. Results also offer flexibility to researchers interested in testing theory involving the constructs of the definition of health, wellness, and clinical health in early adolescents.

Older Men??s Health

BACKGROUND

There is a documented need to examine the complex motivational systems that lead individuals to adopt health-promoting behaviors and to evaluate the psychosocial aspects of male health. A study focused on health motivation as a determinant of self-rated health and health behaviors among older men was therefore undertaken.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to explore the relations among health motivation, self-rated health, and health behaviors in community-dwelling older men.

METHODS

A descriptive, correlational survey design was used for this study of 135 community-dwelling men ages 55 years and older. The questionnaire packet included a demographic tool, the Older Men's Health Program and Screening Inventory, the Health-Promotion Activities of Older Adults Measure, and the Health Self-Determinism Index.

RESULTS

Older men with more intrinsic motivation rated their health as better (p <or=.001) and assessed their lifestyles as more healthy (p <or=.001) than did their counterparts with more extrinsic motivation. Whereas anticipated benefits (a potential motivator) were significantly related to health-promoting behaviors (p <or=.001), health program attendance (p <or=.001), and health screening participation (p <or=.01), the Health Self-Determinism Index score did not demonstrate significant relations with any of these three variables.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that promoting self-motivation may be key to increasing older men's perceptions of health and well-being. Further exploration of anticipated benefits as a motivator of health-promotion activities is warranted, as well as intervention studies to promote older men's health screening and program attendance.

The revised Personal Lifestyle Questionnaire for early adolescents

The purposes of this study were to revise the Personal Lifestyle Questionnaire (PLQ), a measure of positive health practices, for use with early adolescents and to provide evidence of reliability and validity for the revised PLQ instrument. The sample consisted of 224 seventh and eighth graders who responded to the revised PLQ and instruments measuring three theoretically relevant variables. Relative to the revised PLQ, content validity was established, construct validity was determined by support of three hypotheses derived from theoretical propositions, and a two-factor solution was accepted in factor analysis procedures using principal components analysis with Varimax rotation. Acceptable reliabilities were obtained on the total revised PLQ and Factor 1; the reliability for Factor 2 fell slightly below the acceptable standard.

Social support and positive health practices

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between positive health practices and social support, self-esteem, and optimism. The relationships between social support and self-esteem and between social support and optimism were also examined. Two alternative mediational models. with self-esteem in Model 1 and optimism in Model 2, were tested to help explain the relationship between social support and positive health practices in middle-age adults. The sample of 202 middle-age adults completed a demographic data sheet, the Personal Lifestyle Questionnaire, Personal Resource Questionnaire 85-Part 2, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Revised Life Orientation Test. The five correlational hypotheses were supported. Social support, self-esteem, and optimism were all positively related to positive health practices, and social support was positively related to self-esteem and optimism. The two mediational models tested with regression analyses were not supported.

Humor and health in early adolescents: perceived field motion as a mediating variable

The purpose of this study was to test a mediational model, developed within the science of unitary human beings, by examining the relationship between humor and eudaimonistic health conception in early adolescents and by examining the extent to which perceived field motion mediated this relationship. The sample consisted of 136 adolescents, aged 12 to 14, who responded to instruments measuring humor, perceived field motion, and eudaimonistic health conception in classroom settings. Correlational analysis supported the three hypothesized relationships. Regression analyses indicated that perceived field motion was one mediator of the relationship between humor and eudaimonistic health conception.

Correlates of physical activity among women from diverse racial/ethnic groups

OBJECTIVE

Women have lower rates of participation in leisure time physical activity than men and have been studied to a lesser extent than men. Because physical activity plays a vital role in overall health, it is important to identify factors than can help increase physical activity rates for women.

METHODS

Defining and understanding correlates of physical activity is critical for at-risk populations and for planning effective interventions. This paper reviews research conducted in the past two decades on correlates of physical activity in women. An ecological model with an added physical environment component was used to organize the correlates. Studies conducted among adult white, black, American Indian, Asian, and Hispanic women are included. A total of 91 studies were reviewed. Many studies included white women, fewer studies included black and Hispanic women, and even fewer included American Indian women, and only 3 studies included Asian women.

RESULTS

The correlates most studied are sociodemographic variables, with nonwhite race, lower educational levels, and older age most consistently associated with lower levels of physical activity. Few studies focused on environmental and policy correlates. Social support was an overwhelmingly positive determinant of physical activity for all groups of women.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on these findings, we recommend that future research include more diverse groups of women and evaluate modifiable factors, such as psychological, interpersonal, and environmental correlates. Future research also should include more intervention and longitudinal studies.

Psychometric evaluation of the personal lifestyle questionnaire for adolescents

The purpose of this study was to provide evidence of validity for the Personal Lifestyle Questionnaire (PLQ), a measure of positive health practices, in a sample of 222 adolescents ages 15-21. Using a priori criteria, it was found that a two-factor solution, resulting from a principal components analysis with an orthogonal rotation, best represented the factor structure of the PLQ for adolescents. Of the two factors, only Factor I demonstrated an acceptable coefficient alpha reliability; this factor was labeled General Health Practices. Evidence of construct validity for the total PLQ was provided by two statistically significant correlations found between the scale and the theoretically relevant variables of perceived health status and symptom patterns. Contrary to expectation, dependency was not related to positive health practices. A post hoc analysis indicated that Factor I correlated significantly with perceived health status and symptom patterns. The results support the use of Factor I, consisting of 13 items, as a measure of general health practices with adolescents.

HEALTH-PROMOTING LIFESTYLES AND PERSONALITY AMONG BLACK SOUTH AFRICAN STUDENTS

The aim of this study was to investigate health-promoting lifestyles (HPLP) and personality in black South African students. The sample included 606 students: 236 Grade 12, secondary school and 370 first year social science university students in South Africa. Results indicate a reasonable percentage of health-promoting lifestyles with a mean of 2.72. Secondary school students reported more overall health-promoting lifestyles than did university students. Multiple stepwise regression identified the Lie scale, Neuroticism, and Psychoticism as independent predictors for the total HPLP; Extraversion, gender and group (=secondary or university students) were excluded.

Can the theory of planned behavior explain patterns of health behavior change?

This article tested the ability of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to predict patterns of behavior change associated with health screening. Attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intentions were used to predict objective measures of attendance 1 month and 13 months later among participants who had never previously been screened (N = 389). Findings showed that the TPB predicted attendance on each occasion and also predicted frequency of attendance. However, the model was unable to reliably distinguish among consistent attendees, participants who delayed attending, and participants who initially attended but relapsed. Thus, the TPB needs to be extended to understand behaviors that must be performed promptly and repeatedly for health benefits to accrue.