Health promotion and the practice of health-promotive behaviors are significant factors in longevity and personal wellness. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between an individual's meaning of health and the practice of health-protective behaviors. Theoretical rationale was based on Pender's (1987) Health Promotion Model. Health promotion lifestyle was measured by the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP) (Walker,Sechrist, & Pender, 1985). Individual definition of health was measured by the Meaning of Health instrument (Wieseke, 1990a).The sample included skilled and unskilled employees of a 300-bed regional hospital located in the Triad area of North Carolina. Interviews were conducted with a random sample of the respondents to obtain information on themes of the expressed meanings of the Health Concept. Significance of this study lies in determining individuals' motivation to practice health-protective behaviors and also in determining individuals' definition of health. Identification of lifestyle and health behaviors will help nurses and other health care workers determine what motivates an individual to perform health-protective behaviors.The results revealed a significant (p<.05) relationship between the level of overall functioning of all six subscales of the HPLP. Participation in health promoting behaviors was significantly related to physical sensation overall with a level of significance at p<.05. Participation in health-promoting behaviors was significantly related to emotional level overall with a level of significance at p<.01. There was no significance between age group and the HPLP.The conclusions drawn from this study were that the subjects were self-actualized and emotionally stable. The subjects take responsibility for health but do not take advantage of opportunities to monitor health. / School of Nursing
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/184327 |
| Date | January 1992 |
| Creators | Calhoun, Jennifer |
| Contributors | Ball State University. School of Nursing., Ryan, Marilyn E. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | v, 114 leaves ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
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