Perceived morbidity as a determinant of health behavior.
It is hypothesized that perceived morbidity, a concept closely related to perceived vulnerability, is an important determinant of health behaviors.  In this cross-sectional study (N = 2740), perceived morbidity was conceptualized as a categorical variable defining six distinct morbidity groups:  the hypertension, high cholesterol, angina pectoris, heart attack, stroke and 'morbidity-free' groups.  We used analyses of covariance to identify differences in health behaviors between the six groups; the analyses were done separately for middle-aged (40-60 years old) and older ( greater than 60 years old) respondents. Results show that perceived morbidity had a significant effect on fat consumption (P less than 0.001) and on physical activity (P < 0.01).  In both age ranges, the morbidity-free group had the highest fat consumption; among the middle-aged respondents, the level of physical activity was significantly lower in the morbidity-free group than in the heart attack group.  Furthermore, respondents in the high cholesterol group showed consistently a 'better' health behavior than people in the hypertension group.  Overall, these results suggest that the concept of perceived morbidity may be useful in explaining inter-individual differences in health behaviors.
Fuchs
R
R
Freie Universität Berlin, Institut für Psychologie, Germany.
Heath
G W
GW
Wheeler
F C
FC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000523:psychology; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004041:Dietary Fats; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000523:psychology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000523:psychology; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012649:Self Concept