A Causal Model of Lifestyle Modification Behaviors in Thai Adults with Hypertension

Abstract

Lifestyle modification behaviors are a key strategy for controlling hypertension. Understanding the causal model of lifestyle modification behaviors would shape the behaviors which are necessary for controlling blood pressure levels among Thai adults with hypertension. The purpose of this study was to examine the proposed relationships between psychosocial variables, such as desire, attitude, perceived behavioral control (PBC), intention, trying, social support, illness identity, self-efficacy, and lifestyle modification behaviors (LMB). This study was a path analytic study using a self-administered questionnaire which was responded to by 240 selected Thai adults with hypertension at the out-patient clinic in 5 hospitals throughout Thailand. A set of questionnaires was used for collecting data and the internal consistency was between 0.75 - 0.95. Data were analyzed by path analysis. The results found that PBC and social support had positive and direct influences on LMB (β = 0.31, p < 0.001; β = 0.36, p < 0.001, respectively). Desire and PBC had positive and direct influences on intention (β = 0.55, p < 0.001; β = 0.19, p < 0.01, respectively). Self-efficacy, intention, and PBC had positive and direct influences on trying (β = 0.46, p < 0.001; β = 0.19, p < 0.01; β = 0.15, p < 0.05, respectively). The revised model accounted for 47, 30, and 39 % of the variance in intention, trying, and lifestyle modification behaviors, respectively. Knowledge about the factors influencing lifestyle modification behaviors in Thai adults with HTN will assist a nurse in developing interventions/programs to promote lifestyle modification behaviors in this population.