Health values, incentives, and social support related to health promotion behaviors in the well-elderly

Health promotion behaviors in well older persons were investigated in a descriptive correlation design. The sample of 30 participants was randomly selected. The study related health values, incentives, and social support to health promotion behaviors. The theoretical framework was comprised of Veroff and Veroff's (1980) Theory of Social Goals and Pender's (1982) Health Promotion Model.

Structured interviews were conducted at six public senior citizen centers and one private retirement home in metropolitan Oklahoma City. The interview schedule consisted of five parts: Demographics, the Fomby Health/Health Promotion Value Scale (1985), the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile by Walker, Rickert, and Pender (1986), the researcher-developed Incentive-Health Promotion Scale, and the Personal Resource Questionnaire-Part II by Brandt and Weinert (1981).

Test score data were subjected to computerized Pearson's product-moment coefficient of correlation and Spearman rank order correlation to determine relationships. Friedman H and Cronbach's alpha were used to test for reliability of instruments.

Findings revealed: (1) There is a significant relationship between the health values between mature love (-0.36194, p < 0.0494), and true friendship (0.40437, p < 0.0267) and the health promotion behaviors of health/responsibility, self-actualization, exercise, nutrition, interpersonal support, and stress management. (2) There is a significant relationship between incentives of fitness/health, appearance, medical advice, socialization, pressure, independence, fun, feeling, good, and belongingness (r = 0.54298, p < 0.0019) and health promotion behaviors. (3) There is a significant relationship between social support (r = 0.63743, p < 0.0001) and health promotion behaviors. (4) There are no significant relationships between gender, age, race, marital status, living arrangements, education, and health promotion behaviors.

Conclusions were: (1) Older persons value friendship. (2) Attitude changes in older persons are necessary in order for health promotion care practices to be effective. (3) Incentives are an essential multifaceted aspect of motivation. (4) Social support is an important component of good health.