A Study on the Influencing Factors in Health Promoting Lifestyles of College Students

Cho, Bok Hee; Lee, Eun Ju; Ji, Hye Ryeon

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the factors affecting health promoting lifestyles of college students on the basis of Pender's Health Promotion Model. The subjects were 466 students of colleges in Kwangju. Data were collected by self reporting questionnaire from September 11 to September 30, 1997. The measuring instruments used in this study were Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile by Walker et al. (40 items), General Self-Efficacy Scale by Sherer et al. (13 items), Health Related Hardiness Scale by Pollock (40 items), and Health Value Scale by Wallston et al.. Data were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA to find out the differences on health promoting lifestyles, general self-efficacy, health related hardiness, and health value according to the general characteristics of the subjects. Pearson correlation coefficient alalysis was using for the correlation among factors and multiple regression analysis was using for the multifactor correlation. The results were as follows; 1. The mean score on health promoting lifestyles was 2.40. The scores of items of health promoting lifestyles were in order of self-actualization(2.83), interpersonal support(2.81), stress management(2.27), nutrition(2.19), exercise(2.01), and health responsibility(1.72). Self-actualization showed the highest score and health responsi- bility the lowest. 2. The degree of health promoting lifestyles was significantly differentiated according to the religion. (p<.001). However, such general characteristics as gender, college major, economic status, admission history, and family history of chronic illness had no statistical significance. 3. The score of self-efficacy was significantly differentiated according to gender(p<.000) and college major(p<.024). 4. The score of health related hardiness showed significant difference with college major (p<.05) and family history of chronic illness(p<.05). 5. The score of health value was not significantly differentiated according to general characteristics. 6. There was significantly positive correlation between health promoting lifestyles and self-efficacy(p<.001). There were significantly negative correlations between health promoting lifestyles and health related hardiness(p<.001), health value(p<.05). The higher scores of the health related hardiness, self-efficacy, and health value were the better degree of health promoting lifestyles. 7. Self-efficacy was the highest predictor of health promoting lifestyles of college students. The explained variance was 15.0%. Total varience including self-efficacy was explained as 20.3%.