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The relationship between attitudes toward aging and health‐promoting behaviours in older adults
Author(s) -
Korkmaz Aslan Gülbahar,
Kartal Asiye,
Özen Çınar İlgün,
Koştu Nazan
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
international journal of nursing practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.62
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1440-172X
pISSN - 1322-7114
DOI - 10.1111/ijn.12594
Subject(s) - psychosocial , psychological intervention , health promotion , gerontology , context (archaeology) , descriptive statistics , medicine , successful aging , psychology , public health , nursing , paleontology , statistics , mathematics , psychiatry , biology
Background Identifying the factors that are associated with health‐promoting behaviours in older adults is necessary to increase their willingness and motivation to participate in health‐promotion activities. Understanding context‐specific attitudes in relation to their influence on health‐promoting behaviours is crucial in designing efficient interventions that foster health‐promoting behaviours among older adults. Aim This study aimed to examine the relationships between attitudes towards aging and health‐promoting behaviours in older adults in Turkey. Methods The study used a descriptive‐correlational design. A convenience sample of 448 community‐dwelling older adults who were 65 years and older and cognitively intact were selected from 6 family health centres in the city of Denizli in Turkey. The data were collected between March and June of 2014 using the Attitudes to Aging Questionnaire and the Health‐Promoting Lifestyle Profile II. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to explore the predictors of health‐promoting behaviours. Findings Attitudes toward aging, the psychosocial loss subscale, and education were statistically significant predictors of health‐promoting behaviours. Attitudes toward aging were the strongest predictor of health‐promoting behaviours in older adults. Conclusion Attitude towards aging is a factor that affects health‐promoting behaviours, and it should be considered during interventions for improving health promoting behaviours.