Association of the personal factors of culture, attitude and motivation with health behavior among adolescents in Malaysia

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the association of the personal factors of culture, attitude and motivation on health behavior among Malaysian adolescents. A cluster sampling technique was used and a total of 1,029 students with ages ranging from 15 to 17 years (M age = 15.9, SD = .637) were selected as respondents. The research instrument was a self-administered questionnaire covering health behavior, culture, attitude, and motivation towards health. The strongest linear relationship was found between culture and health behavior (r = .618, p = .001). Besides the culture of adolescents being the main predictor of health behavior (β = .365, p = .000), attitude (β = .283, p = .000) and motivation (β = .064, p = .033) also had significant independent effects on health behavior. Hence, culture, attitude and motivation should be taken into consideration in the promotion of health education, especially at school level. Background of the study Health behavior is a common term in health psychology and can be understood simply as behavior that influences health. Research into adolescents' health behavior and the personal factors that influence them is essential for the development of effective health education and the observation of good health. It is important that young people's health is considered in its broadest sense to encompass social, physical, and emotional well-being. Furthermore, in line with the World Health Organization's (WHO) perspective, health is viewed as a resource for everyday living, not just the absence of disease. Many behavioral patterns that reflect young people's lifestyles may directly or indirectly impact on their health in the short or long term. Certain behavior is shaped during adolescence, while some patterns of behavior, such as eating habits, become established in childhood. Taking selected personal factors as predictors to health behavior, the present study analyzed psychological, social, and environmental influences that contribute to adolescent health. According to the Youth Malaysia Index reported by Ministry of Youth and Sports, Malaysia, the level of health among the youth in Malaysia, at 65.8%, is moderate (Ministry Youth & Sport Malaysia, 2015), pointing to the need for improvement to their health behavior. Many lifelong habits that mold health behavior are formed during childhood and adolescence (Bandura, 1998). With regard to the adolescent's transition from children into adulthood, aspects of culture, motivation, and altitude may affect their future well-being. During this transition, those who have poor health habits may drop them and ARTICLE HISTORY

Designing and Evaluating Educational Intervention to Improve Preventive Behavior Against Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Endemic Areas in Iran

“…Therefore, educational interventions to increase knowledge should be included in all health education and promotion programs that are designed and implemented to provide preventive behaviors against CL among different target groups. Although it was not enough that the only knowledge for adopting healthy and preventive behaviors is given, there is not necessarily a positive relationship between this knowledge and healthy behaviors [24], because determinants of behavior are beyond knowledge and other factors such as customs, culture, economics, family support, peers and other important people, inner and outer strata, macro policies, individual skills should all be taken into account [11,25]. Perceived susceptibility and severity are predictive factors for adopting appropriate health behavior, including preventive behaviors against CL [7,15].…”

“…In general, it is expected that the improvement of knowledge and attitude will affect and improve behavior. However, this relationship is not linear and determinants of behavior are beyond attitude and knowledge [11,33]. Other factors, such as customs, culture, economic factors, family support, peers and other important people, internal and external motives, macro policies, individual skills, also play a significant role in behavior [11,25].…”

“…However, this relationship is not linear and determinants of behavior are beyond attitude and knowledge [11,33]. Other factors, such as customs, culture, economic factors, family support, peers and other important people, internal and external motives, macro policies, individual skills, also play a significant role in behavior [11,25]. One of the factors that may influence and predict healthy behaviors, including preventive behaviors against CL, is enabling factors [14,32].…”

“…One of the limitations of the HBM is that it highly emphasizes the individuals and only considers the effects of health beliefs on behaviors [9,10]. However, factors affecting behavior are beyond personal beliefs and individual’s behaviors is influenced by a set of personal factors, such as knowledge, attitude, cultural environment such as customs, social environment such as family members, friends, and other influential people (subjective norms), enabling factors like resources and skills [11]. Based on findings from other studies, the effectiveness of HBM-based interventions could be enhanced by combining HBM with other theories or models [12].…”

Oral health profile of the elderly people in the Pandalungan community

“…29 Mamai-Homata et al 30 stated that women are more concerned about their health than men. Hamzah et al 31 also declared that a person who is concerned about their health adopts healthy behaviour. Elderly men were more inclined to passively partake in activities conducted during the Karang Werda monthly meetings; the reason for this could be due to a smaller percentage of elderly men attending the Karang Werda monthly meetings.…”