THE RELATIONSHIP OF HEALTH BELIEFS TO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG OLDER ADULTS.
Contributors: University of Oklahoma.
Published: 1987
Number of pages: 157
Subjects: Education, Physical.; Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: This descriptive, correlational study focused on the relationship between health beliefs and physical activity among older adults. The Health Belief Model (H.B.M.) developed by Becker et al. (1974) served as a framework for the study. Subjects consisted of a convenience sample of 125 non-institutionalized older adults, aged 50 and over, excluding individuals with physical disabilities which impeded ambulation. The data collection instrument for the study was a four part survey instrument (the Physical Activity - Health Belief Questionnaire), developed by this investigator, based on instruments by Champion (1981), Reiff et al. (1967), Paffenbarger (1986), and Ratliff and Knehans (1986). Hypotheses dealt with the relationships between the H.B.M. variables (susceptibility, seriousness, benefits, barriers, and health motivation), knowledge, and physical activity. Study hypotheses were tested using the chi-square statistic. Analysis of data revealed a significant relationship between the variable benefits and physical activity at p < .05. No significant association was found between the other H.B.M. variables studied and physical activity, nor between knowledge and physical activity. The findings of this study may be of value to health educators in developing approaches to influence older adults to establish the habit of exercise in their daily lives.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 48-02, Section: A, page: 0330.

Thesis (PH.D.)--THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA, 1987.

School code: 0169.