PERCEPTIONS, ATTITUDES, AND PERSPECTIVES OF VISITORS OF WELLNESS CENTERS AS A COMPONENT OF A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

The concept of wellness encompasses various dimensions of health, aiming to promote proactive and preventive behavior for overall well-being. This cross-sectional study investigated the characteristics and benefits of visiting wellness centers. A total of 186 participants (average age of 41.31±10.475, including 49 males and 137 females) in Serbia were included, and data were analyzed using the Pearson χ2 (chi-square) test and independence test. The questionnaire was distributed from 25 to 31 December 2022. Results revealed no significant associations between age, gender, education, and marital status, but monthly income showed significant differences (p=0.002). Wellness was found to positively contribute to the physical, mental, and social aspects of health. The main motivators for visiting wellness centers were relaxation, reduction of mental tension, and travel for happiness and pleasure (p=0.001). Wellness centers were identified as promoting a preventive and proactive approach to lifestyle improvement, with 97.2% of respondents acknowledging its positive impact. The pleasure of free time and the desire to escape from everyday life were crucial motivators among Serbian wellness center visitors (p=0.013). These findings highlight the role of wellness centers in promoting proactive and preventive approaches to improve physical, mental, and social well-being. The main motivators for visiting wellness centers were identified as relaxation, reduction of mental tension, and travel for happiness and pleasure, with pleasure with free time and escape from everyday life being key motivators among visitors in Serbia.