[The relationship between optimistic bias about health crisis and health behavior].
OBJECTIVE
This study was performed to identify the relationship between optimistic bias about health crisis and health behavior of Korean adults in a crisis of health, and to prepare baseline data for developing a health education and promotion program.


METHODS
Study subjects were 595 adults aged from 19 to 64 who live in Korea. Data were collected through questionnaires administered by one interviewer. Descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation coefficient were calculated using the SPSS program.


RESULTS
The average score for optimistic bias about health crisis was 2.69, and that for health behavior was 107.05. The optimistic bias about health crisis showed a significantly positive correlation with health behavior (r=.187, p=.000).


CONCLUSIONS
To make our results more useful, it is necessary to identity the causal relationship between health attitudes as an explanatory variable and optimistic bias as an outcome variable. In addition, a relatively low score in optimistic bias from this research compared to other studies must be explained through further studies considering unique Korean cultural background. Moreover, research of the relationship between optimistic bias about health crisis and health behavior looking at people who don't have good health behaviors is needed.
Park
Su Ho
SH
National Cancer Control Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
Lee
Sul Hee
SH
Ham
Eun Mi
EM
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012647:Self-Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires