THE COMPARISON OF HEALTH MOTIVATION, HEALTH KNOWLEDGE, HEALTH LOCUS-OF-CONTROL, AND HEALTH PROTECTIVE BEHAVIOR OF FRESHMEN AND SENIOR COLLEGE NURSING MAJORS.
Contributors: Boston University.
Published: 1988
Number of pages: 192
Subjects: Health Sciences, Education.; Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: This study examines the following question: Do College Senior Nursing majors differ significantly from Freshmen Nursing majors with regard to Health Motivation (Value), Health Knowledge, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control, and Health Protective Behavior after exposure to health related information? The sample consists of a total of 228 female students divided into four groups: Freshmen and Senior Nursing majors, with Freshmen and Senior non Nursing majors as a control. The variables of age, academic standing, ethnic background, academic ability and socioeconomic status were controlled for.

Major variables examined were Health Motivation (Value), Health Knowledge, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control, and Health Protective Behavior. Health Motivation (Value) was measured using the Health Motivation Index (Seeman and Seeman, 1983). Health Knowledge was measured using the Health Knowledge Test (Lussier, 1970). Multidimensional Health Locus of Control was measured using the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (Wallston, Wallston, DeVellis, 1978). Health Protective Behavior was measured using the Health Behavior Inventory (Lussier, 1970).

Results revealed that Senior Nursing majors had significantly higher Health Knowledge scores than Freshmen Nursing majors. Freshmen Nursing majors had significantly higher Health Protective Behavior scores than did Freshmen non Nursing majors. Senior Nursing majors scored significantly higher than Senior non Nursing majors with regard to Health Knowledge, Health Protective Behavior, and Powerful Other Health Locus of Control.

Significant positive linear correlations were obtained for each of the following variables: Health Motivation, Health Knowledge, Internal Health Locus of Control, and Powerful Others Health Locus of Control with Health Protective Behavior for all subjects. A significant negative correlation was obtained for Chance Health Locus of Control and Health Protective Behavior.

Health Motivation was found to be the most significant predictor of Health Protective Behavior followed by Health Knowledge.

Recommendations included continued efforts to determine the approach with greatest impact on student Health Protective Behavior.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-06, Section: B, page: 2111.

Thesis (ED.D.)--BOSTON UNIVERSITY, 1988.

School code: 0017.