Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
3101293 Preventive Medicine 2009 5 Pages PDF
Abstract

ObjectivesWe propose a new theoretical model that integrates health interventions targeting multiple health behaviors around a common framework of enhancing life functioning. We then test an enhanced life functioning message against an enhanced physical health message in increasing participants' perceived importance of engaging in multiple health behaviors.Methods94 undergraduate participants were exposed to either an enhanced life functioning message or an enhanced physical health message and then completed measures of health behavior importance and benefits associated with enhanced life functioning importance in the spring of 2008 at Rutgers University.ResultsResults indicate the efficacy of an enhanced life functioning message in increasing participants' perceived importance of engaging in multiple health behaviors. Moreover, the effect of an enhanced life functioning message on perceived health behavior importance is mediated by perceived importance of the benefits associated with enhanced life functioning.ConclusionsEmphasizing enhanced life functioning as an outcome of engaging in multiple health behaviors increases the perceived importance of performing multiple health behaviors, which may influence the performance of multiple health behaviors.

Related Topics
Health Sciences Medicine and Dentistry Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Authors
, , , ,