A meta-analysis of predictors of positive health practices.
OBJECTIVE
To identify predictors of positive health practices from empirical studies in which the Personal Lifestyle Questionnaire was used.


METHODS
Meta-analysis to determine the magnitude of the relationships between each of the predictors identified and positive health practices. Fourteen predictors of positive health practices were identified in 37 studies published since 1983; a meta-analysis was conducted on 14 predictors.


RESULTS
Eight predictors (loneliness, social support, perceived health status, self-efficacy, future time perspective, self-esteem, hope, and depression) had moderate effect sizes, and six (stress, education, marital status, age, income, and sex) had small effect sizes.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings enable health care professionals and researchers designing intervention studies to use the strongest predictors identified in this meta-analysis to promote positive health practices.
Yarcheski
Adela
A
College of Nursing, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA. yarcheski@nightingale.rutgers.edu
Mahon
Noreen E
NE
Yarcheski
Thomas J
TJ
Cannella
Barbara L
BL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D015987:Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008132:Loneliness; D008297:Male; D009013:Morale; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires