CORRELATES OF HEALTH-PROMOTING LIFESTYLES AMONG WOMEN WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS.
Contributors: Columbia University. Teachers College.
Published: 1996
Number of pages: 197
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Sociology, Individual and Family Studies.; Women's Studies.
Description: This study examined the predictive values of perceived health status and meaning of illness factors in the adoption of health-promoting behaviors (HPB) of women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The Health Promotion Model (HPM) (Pender, 1987) was the theoretical framework used for this study.

A convenience sample of 215 women with rheumatoid arthritis recruited from an academic medical center participated in this questionnaire survey. Three instruments were used to measure the study variables: five scales of the revised version of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales (AIMS2) measured perceived health status; five factors of the Meaning of Illness Questionnaire measured meaning of illness; and the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile measured health-promoting behavior. Demographic variables examined in this study included marital status, education, and income.

Pearson's Product Moment Correlation (r) analysis revealed: of the five scales of AIMS2, arthritis impact (AI) had the strongest correlation with total HPLP (r = .39, p =.0001): of the five meaning of illness factors, degree of stress/secondary appraisal (MOI-3) correlated substantially with total HPLP (r =.48, p =.0001); and of the three demographic variables, education had the strongest correlation with total HPLP (r =.34, p =.0001).

Multiple regression analyses revealed that AI (a measure of perceived health status) accounted for 14% of the variance in HPB. An additional 11% of variance in HPB was contributed by MOI-3. When MOI-3 was regressed further, appraisal of coping outcome (final model) contributed an additional 15% of variance in HPB beyond that already contributed by AI. A total of 36% of the variance in HPB was explained by the final model in the separated/divorced and never married subgroups.

Arthritis impact and appraisal of coping outcome emerged as the most powerful predictors of HPB in this population. This finding may facilitate identification of women with RA who are likely to incorporate health-promoting behaviors into their lifestyle or who would benefit from behavioral modification programs. Quality of life and well-being for these women may be enhanced with increased performance of health-promoting behaviors.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 57-02, Section: B, page: 0989.

Thesis (ED.D.)--COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY TEACHERS COLLEGE, 1996.

School code: 0055.
Table of contents: class: section