HEALTH-PROMOTING SELF-CARE BEHAVIOR IN OLDER ADULTS

Principal Investigator: Gayle Acton, PhD, RN
Co-Investigators: Marian Aguilar, PhD, Social Work,
                                 Carolyn Brown, PhD, Pharmacy,
                                 Carole Holahan, PhD, Kinesiology and Health Education,
                                 Waneen Spirduso, PhD, Kinesiology and Health Education

The purpose of this study was to test a theoretical model of health-promoting self-care behavior in well older adults that can be utilized to improve health and well-being, and decrease health care costs. Data collected from a sample of community-dwelling older adults (N=300) were used to statistically test the relationships of selected demographic variables; perceived health status; self-esteem; importance of, barriers to, and self-efficacy of self-care behavior; and family support to health-promoting self-care behavior and general well-being. Findings from this study will be used to design health-promoting interventions for community-dwelling older adults.

STATUS: Completed 5/2001.

See abstract included with Women's Health Conference abstracts.

You may read about this study in the following journal:

Acton, G. J. (2002).Health-promoting self-care in family caregivers.Western Journal of Nursing Research, 24 (1), 73-86.