This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Marks, G. R. Articles by Lutgendorf, S. K. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Marks, G. R. Articles by Lutgendorf, S. K. Pubmed/NCBI databases Medline Plus Health Information Healthy Living Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Perceived Health Competence and Personality Factors Differentially Predict Health Behaviors in Older Adults

Susan K. Lutgendorf, PhD

The University of Iowa

Objectives:Previous studies have shown relationships among personality, perceived efficacy, and proactive health behaviors. Although health behaviors are particularly important among seniors, little is known regarding predictors of health behaviors in older adults. The current study examined the extent to which facets of personality, perceived health competence (PHC), and health status predicted health behaviors among older adults. Methods:Ninety-seven older adults responded to questionnaires assessing health status, personality, PHC, and level of engagement in certain health behaviors. Results:Whereas higher levels of Conscientiousness and lower levels of Neuroticism predicted a greater likelihood of engaging in social support/relaxation behaviors, after controlling for health status and education, higher levels of PHC predicted greater exercise and dietary/health information-seeking behaviors. Discussion:These findings suggest the importance of considering facets of personality and PHC when evaluating health care strategies for the elderly.

Journal of Aging and Health, Vol. 11, No. 2, 221-239 (1999)
DOI: 10.1177/089826439901100205


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. C. Wiltshire, V. Roberts, R. Brown, and G. E. Sarto The Effects of Socioeconomic Status on Participation in Care Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults J Aging Health, April 1, 2009; 21(2): 314 - 335. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. S. Wilson, J. A. Schneider, S. E. Arnold, J. L. Bienias, and D. A. Bennett Conscientiousness and the Incidence of Alzheimer Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment Arch Gen Psychiatry, October 1, 2007; 64(10): 1204 - 1212. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R E Rhodes and N E I Smith Personality correlates of physical activity: a review and meta-analysis. Br. J. Sports Med., December 1, 2006; 40(12): 958 - 965. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. S. Tucker, M. N. Elliott, and D. J. Klein Social Control of Health Behavior: Associations With Conscientiousness and Neuroticism Pers Soc Psychol Bull, September 1, 2006; 32(9): 1143 - 1152. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. M. S. Wu, C. S.-K. Tang, and T. C. Y. Kwok Physical and Psychosocial Factors Associated with Health-promoting Behaviors among Elderly Chinese with Type-2 Diabetes J Health Psychol, November 1, 2004; 9(6): 731 - 740. [Abstract] [PDF]