Health-promoting behaviors: psychometric properties of an assessment tool

Catarina Cardoso Tomás,Paulo Joaquim Pina Queirós,Teresa De Jesus Rodrigues Ferreira

doi:10.1590/0104-07072015000700014

Catarina Cardoso Tomás, Paulo Joaquim Pina Queirós + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-07072015000700014

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Abstract

Aiming to evaluate the psychometric properties of an instrument to assess the levels of health promoting behaviors, as well as to encounter those same levels related to their age, sex and graduation in a sample of 1213 Portuguese adolescents, the study was conducted of a quantitative, descriptive, correlational, retrospective and cross-sectional. The instrument has good internal consistency (Cronbach's Alpha de 0,889) and reasonable correlations between items (entre -0,009 e 0,788), confirming the six factors defined by the authors of the scale. Levels of health-promoting behaviors in the sample are good (x=3,70), being higher in girls than boys, and youth to the detriment of younger older. Thus demonstrates the reliability of the instrument in the assessment of healthy behavior in portuguese adolescents, as well as the need for an health intervention in this population.

Highlights

Adopting health-promoting behaviors as part of a lifestyle expresses the human tendency towards self-actualization
Adopting healthy behaviors and lifestyle involves knowledge on the subject, and the learning and development of emotional, cognitive and behavioral competencies so that such technical and theoretical knowledge can be put to practice in different real life contexts.[2]
Notwithstanding, there is an absence of studies in the Portuguese language or in Portugal. The authors of this assessment tool used a sample of 1,128 individuals, representative of the Thai adolescent population, and found that the sample presented good levels of health-promoting behaviors.[4]

Summary

Introduction

Adopting health-promoting behaviors as part of a lifestyle expresses the human tendency towards self-actualization. All, such behaviors aim to increase individual well-being and attain personal actualization and accomplishment.[1] Adopting healthy behaviors and lifestyle involves knowledge on the subject, and the learning and development of emotional, cognitive and behavioral competencies so that such technical and theoretical knowledge can be put to practice in different real life contexts.[2]. Notwithstanding, there is an absence of studies in the Portuguese language or in Portugal The authors of this assessment tool used a sample of 1,128 individuals, representative of the Thai adolescent population, and found that the sample presented good levels of health-promoting behaviors (mean of 129 points and median of 130; scores ranged from 51 to 176 points).[4]

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Conclusion