J Korean Community Nurs.  1998 Jun;9(1):72-88.

A Study on Health Perception and Health Promoting Behavior in the Elderly

• Lee KS
• Chung YS

Abstract

This study was designed to identify the relationship between health perception arid health promoting behavior in the elderly. The subjects for this study were 92 persons over 65, who could be easily met in households, pavilions for the aged, and parks. The data were collected during the period from March 24th to April 12th, 1997 by interviews with a structured questionnaire. The instruments used for this study are as follows: The Health Perception Questionnaire developed by Ware (1979) and translated by Yu Ji-Su(1985). The Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile(HPLP) developed by Walker, Sechrist & Pender (1987) and partially amended by the author of this study. The Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile(HPLP) was parameterized by nutrition, exercise, stress management, self actualization, health responsibility, and interpersonal support. The data was analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation using an SPSS program. The results of this study were as follows: 1. Hypothesis 1 : 'The higher the level of health perception in the elderly, the higher the practice of health promoting behavior in the elderly' was supported(r=0.449, p<0.001). 2. The health perception mean score on a four point scale was 2.564. 3. For health promoting behavior, the mean score on a four point scale was 2.560. The factor of the highest mean score was interpersonal support(2.850) and factor of the lowest mean score was exercise(1.964). 4. Among the general characteristic variables, sex(t=4.12, p<0.001), religion(t=2.47, p<0.05), education(F=3.27, p<0.05), marital status (t=2.22, p<0.05), living situation(F=3.50, p<0.05), and hobby(t=-2.57, p<0.05) showed strong connections to health perception. 5. Among the general characteristic variables, religion(t=1.83, p<0.05), and marital status(t=2.12, p<0.05) showed strong connections to health promoting behavior. In conclusion, this study revealed that health perception is an important factor related to health promoting behavior in the elderly. The general characteristic variables showed strong connections to health perception and health promoting behavior. Therefore, nurses should consider health perception and general characteristic variables when they plan nursing intervention for the elderly. Also, educational programs encouraging constructive health perception should be developed.

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Family Characteristics
Health Promotion
Health Status
Humans
Life Style
Marital Status
Nursing
Surveys and Questionnaires