Factors influencing adherence to positive health behaviors

Typescript (photocopy).The purposes of this study were to identify selected characteristics of individuals who have adhered to specific health behaviors following completion of organized health promotion programs and to investigate the factor structures of the identified characteristics. Individuals who had completed selected exercise or stress management programs were surveyed to determine current adherence, reasons for adherence, obstacles to adherence, locus of control, health self-perceptions, and demographic variables. Predominant reasons for adherence to exercise were increased energy and stamina and perceived value of the activities, and for adherence to stress management were decreased anxiety and perceived value of the activities. The predominant obstacle to both exercise and stress management was difficulty committing due to other obligations. Locus of control was predominantly internal for both groups. The predominant health self-perception of adherers to exercise was infrequent illness, and of adherers to stress management was willingness to expand effort to stay healthy. Conclusions: (1) An adherer is likely to begin a health promotion program to achieve certain goals and to increase the likelihood of longevity. The 26 potential reasons for beginning a program may be differentiated in terms of eight dimensions for exercise and nine for stress management. (2) An adherer is likely to continue health behaviors because of belief in the value of the activities and improvement in general sense of well-being. The 20 potential reasons for continuing behaviors may be differentiated in terms of six dimensions for exercise and five for stress management. (3) An adherer is likely to encounter obstacles to health promotion behaviors related to difficulty with commitment because of other issues which require time and attention and difficulty with self-discipline. The 14 potential obstacles may be differentiated in terms of four dimensions for exercise and five for stress management. (4) An adherer is likely to exhibit an internal locus of control. (5) An adherer is likely to perceive oneself as energetic and capable, aware of what contributes to feeling healthy, and willing to make the necessary effort to stay healthy. The ten potential self-perceptions may be differentiated in terms of three dimensions for both exercise and stress management