Positive Orientation as a Predictor of Health Behavior during Chronic Diseases

• Main Authors: Ewa Kupcewicz, Anna Szypulska, Anna Doboszyńska
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-09-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: positive orientation; health behavior; chronic diseases; health
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/18/3408

<i>Background:</i> Positive orientation includes optimism, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. This research was conducted to determine whether positive orientation is an important predictor of health behaviors of patients with chronic movement disorders which require a rehabilitation program. <i>Methods:</i> The study involved 93 patients, including 46 women (49.5%) and 47 men (50.5%). The study utilized a standardized Positive Orientation Scale and a Health Behavior Inventory to measure the intensity of health-promoting behaviors. <i>Results:</i> The two variables of age and positive orientation were found to be predictors of overall healthy behavior, explaining a total of 22% variance of the dependent variable. Age was a predictor of preventative behavior (&#946; = 0.37; R² = 0.16). Its share in the prediction of this variable was significant (16%). The highest predictive value of positive mental attitude was having a positive orientation (&#946; = 0.42; R² = 0.17), which explained 17% of the variance of the dependent variable. However, age explained 14% of the variability of health practice results (&#946; = 0.39; R² = 0.14). <i>Conclusion:</i> The results of the research indicate the need to implement preventive programs with a positive orientation to modify the health behavior of chronically ill male and female patients.