The relationship among self-esteem, health locus of control, and health-promoting behaviours of midlife women

• Main Author: Blair, Susan Heather Ruth
• Language: English
• Published: University of British Columbia 2010
• Subjects: Self-esteem; Health behavior; Middle-aged women > Health and hygiene; Self Concept; Women
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/28765

This descriptive correlational study was designed to increase the knowledge needed to understand the relationship among health-related variables that facilitate or sustain health-promoting behaviours of midlife women. Specifically, this study investigated the relationship among self-esteem, health locus of control, and health-promoting behaviours of women in this age group. Pender's (1982) original Health Promotion Model provided the theoretical framework to structure this study. The sample included 84 midlife women volunteers who were current or prospective members of a Vancouver-based social networking group for mature women. Data were collected using the Rosenberg (1965) Self-Esteem Scale, the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale -Form A, and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's product-moment correlations, and stepwise multiple regression. Three significant predictors, self-esteem, chance health locus of control, and powerful others health locus of control, explained 24.5% of the variance for engaging in health-promoting behaviours. The study findings supported Pender's Model which postulated that individual perceptions of self-esteem and health locus of control, among other personal factors, influence one's likelihood of engaging in health-promoting behaviours. The findings also supported Pender's contention that selected demographic variables, as modifying variables, have an impact on health-promoting behaviours. === Applied Science, Faculty of === Nursing, School of === Graduate