DETERMINANTS OF POSITIVE HEALTH BEHAVIOR IN MIDDLE CHILDHOOD (WELLNESS).
Contributors: University Of Illinois At Chicago, Health Sciences Center.
Published: 1991
Number of pages: 151
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: A study of the variables that determine health behaviors in 9 and 10 year old children was done using a descriptive cross-sectional approach. A sample of 260 4th grade students currently attending two school districts in central Illinois participated in the study. The mothers of the children were interviewed to obtain demographic data, health status ratings of family members and responses to the Family Environment Survey. Overall, the sample participants were in good health, in the middle socio-economic strata and with parents who had completed high school.

The children completed four self-report measures on self-esteem, intrinsic motivation, health perceptions and health behaviors. The Interaction Model of Client Health Behavior (Cox, 1983) was the theoretical framework used for variable determination and data analysis. Intervening variables of intrinsic motivation, health perception and self-esteem, as well as health behavior were regressed on the background variables. Stepwise multiple regressions were done exploring the multiple independent variable effects.

Findings supported earlier studies on the significant contribution of the gender of the child and the education of the parents in the determination of health behavior. The overall strong influence of gender on this age child's overall health behaviors offers preliminary evidence to suggest the possible benefits of targeting preadolescent boys for wellness interventions. In addition, how the child thinks of themselves generally, and about their health and well-being are strong precursors to health behaviors.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 52-06, Section: B, page: 2992.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO, HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER, 1991.

School code: 0806.