Health Perception: Validation of a Scale for the Portuguese Population

Abstract

The validity of health perception construct has increased over time; people assess better their health status due to an increased level of education. Different instruments have been developed to assess this dimension of health. This study aims to validate for the Portuguese adult population of the Health Perception Questionnaire due to the inexistence in the Portuguese context of a validated instrument that assess health perception. It is a self-report instrument that evaluates health perception in three moments-past, present and future, resistance and attitudes towards the disease.1,139 subjects from the general population, aged between 18 and 79 years and mostly women, participated. Exploratory and confi rmatory factorial analyzes were carried out. A second order model was found, where health perception is defi ned around two factors-current health (seven items) and previous health (two items). The experience of serious or signifi cant illness, as well as well-being and health, are assumed as key elements in the individual construction of the previous and current health perception respectively.

Kadinlarin Sağlik Algilarinin Ji̇nekoloji̇k Kanser Farkindaliklarina Etki̇si̇ Kesi̇tsel Bi̇r Çalişma

“…Literatür incelendiğinde farklı gruplarla yapılan çalışmalarda SAÖ'nün puan ortalamalarının araştırmamızın ilgili sonuçları ile benzerlik gösterdiği görülmektedir. 11,17,18 Sağlık algısının bireyin sağlıklı yaşam biçimi geliştirmesini etkilediği bilinmektedir. 19 SAÖ alt boyutlarında en yüksek oranda kontrol merkezi olduğu saptanmıştır.…”

Investigation of the Relationship Between the Intolerance of Uncertainty and Levels of Health Perception Faculty of Sports Sciences Students During the Pandemic Process

“…It is thought that students' perception of health is above the middle level; they attach importance to their health and lead a healthy life with exercise and proper nutrition. Individuals' perceptions affect their health behaviors (Souto et al, 2018). In the literature review, it is seen that the studies generally focus on medical and nursing students.…”

Mental wellbeing and perception of health in the era of COVID‐19 pandemic: A cross‐sectional study in the general population

“…It has been stated that individuals' perception of their health becomes more positive as the score obtained from the PHS increases. 25 According to Souto et al, 38 individuals perceive their health negatively during the presence of any symptoms or the obvious occurrence of a disease. In other words, the absence of any symptoms or diseases allows for a positive evaluation of one's health.…”