The Influence of Basic Conditioning Factors on Healthy Behaviors, Self-Efficacy, and Self-Care in Adults

Abstract

This article presents secondary statistical analyses of data from a 2003 study by the author investigating the relationships among health-promoting self-care behaviors, self-care self-efficacy, and self-care agency in an adult population. The purpose of this article is to identify the influences of selected basic conditioning factors on the practice of healthy behaviors, self-efficacy beliefs, and ability for self-care. The sample consisted of 379 adult participants who completed four research instruments: Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II Scale, Self-Rated Abilities for Health Practices Scale, Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale, and a demographic questionnaire assessing basic conditioning factors. Statistically significant relationships were found between the following basic conditioning factors and the study variables: age, gender, income, marital status, education, race, and routine practice of religion. These results give direction for nursing interventions that promote self-care and holistic health in an adult population.