The Relation between Perceived Health Status and Health-Promoting Behaviors in Female College Students

Byeon, Young Soon; Oak, Jiwon

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between perceived health status and health-promoting behaviors in female college students. METHOD: Data were collected from December 10 to 31, 2007. In 160 female college students, perceived health status was measured using the Medical Outcomes Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and health-promoting behaviors using the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP). RESULT: The major findings of this study were as follows: 1) The mean scores of the level of health promoting behaviors, physical health status, and mental health status were 2.44 (SD=0.39), 51.9 (SD=8.03), and 42.56 (SD=10.77), respectively. 2) Health-promoting behaviors were correlate with physical health status (r=-.361) and mental health status (r=.498). 3) Health-promoting behaviors were significantly associated with allowance and mental health in capability, which explained 28.9% of variance in health-promoting behaviors.
CONCLUSION
The results suggest that it is necessary to strengthen female college students' practice of exercise and responsibility for health in order to improve their health promotion behaviors. Also, the results of this study give useful information for designing interventions and program development for female college students' appropriate health promoting life.