Abstract
(1) The COVID-19 outbreak brought about several socio-economic changes and has had a negative impact on the mental health of people around the world. The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between health behaviours and dispositional optimism among nursing students in Poland, Spain and Slovakia during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) The study was carried out in spring 2021 on a group of 756 nursing students in Poland (n = 390), Spain (n = 196) and Slovakia (n = 170). The diagnostic survey method was applied with the questionnaire technique, and the following standardised research tools were used: Life Orientation Test—Revised (LOT-R) and the Health Behaviour Inventory (IZZ). The survey was conducted in a mixed arrangement: in direct contact with the respondents in Poland and in Spain and online in Slovakia. (3) Significant differences were demonstrated in health behaviour preferences in students in Poland, Spain and Slovakia (F = 6.22; p < 0.002). The highest IZZ index was found in Spanish students (82.60 ± 13.65), while lower values were observed in Slovak (80.38 ± 13.74) and Polish (78.44 ± 13.47) students. The correlation between dispositional optimism and a positive attitude was the strongest in the Polish sample (r = 0.56; p < 0.001), at a high level in the Spanish sample (r = 0.53; p < 0.001) and at an average level in the Slovak sample (r = 0.48; p < 0.001). (4) 1. The study showed a moderating effect of the country of origin on the students’ health behaviours. 2. Dispositional optimism is an important predictor of the students’ health behaviours, regardless of the country of origin.
Highlights
Health behaviour is a combination of knowledge, skills and attitudes, owing to which health-related activities can be initiated [1]
The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between health behaviours and dispositional optimism among nursing students in Poland, Spain and Slovakia during the COVID-19 pandemic
Considering the frequency of individual health behaviours included in the IZZ, the overall intensity of such behaviours among nursing students during the previous year was established
Summary
Health behaviour is a combination of knowledge, skills and attitudes, owing to which health-related activities can be initiated [1]. They are defined as all health-related activities taken up by an individual, including pro-health and anti-health activities. Health behaviours generally denote health-related convictions, expectations, thoughts and motives. The scientific search for the factors with an impact on health behaviours has helped to develop numerous models for changes in health behaviours which emphasise personal beliefs about health, the sense of self-efficacy, motivation for change and the role of resources [2,3]. The function of the motivator for health behaviours is performed by health awareness [4], described as the knowledge and skills acquired through health education. Health behaviours can change throughout one’s life, but the juvenile period is of key
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
