Motivators and Barriers of a Healthy Lifestyle Scale: Development and Psychometric Characteristics

Abstract

Black individuals suffer disproportionately from diseases that are preventable by lifestyle choices. The purpose of this study was to test the internal consistency and construct validity of the newly devised instrument, Motivators and Barriers of a Healthy Lifestyle Scale (MABS). The MABS was administered to 109 community-dwelling, adult Blacks. Content validity was supported through review of the literature and the judgment of three content experts. Exploratory factor analysis supported the two dimensions, that is, motivators and barriers. The Cronbach’s alphas for the motivators and barriers dimensions were .88 and .90, respectively. Results provide initial evidence that the MABS is a valid, internally consistent measure of factors that motivate or inhibit healthy lifestyle behaviors. Screening with the MABS could encourage more focused health promotion discussions between patients and practitioners.