Family relations and health-promoting behavior among older people in Nan Province.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationships by which family networks and support influence the health-promoting behaviors among the older persons.


METHODS
The present study was a cross-sectional survey of 469 elders aged 60 years and over living in a community in Nan Province. Samples were selected by multi-stage random sampling. Data were collected by interviewing from May to July 2007. A structural equation modeling (SEM) with the LISREL program version 8.72 was used for analysis after the effects of socio-demographic factors were controlled


RESULTS
Family networks did not have direct influence on the elderly health-promoting behavior but had indirect influence through support and sense of well-being. Family support had a prominent influence on elderly sense of well-being, then facilitating health-promoting behavior Elderly sense of well-being had strong association with health-promoting behavior.


CONCLUSIONS
Family support programs to facilitate the good interrelationship within the family should be encouraged and promoted to enhance elderly psychological well-being and health-promoting behaviors subsequently.
Thanakwang
Kattika
K
Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. kattika99@yahoo.com
Soonthorndhada
Kusol
K
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D015438:Health Behavior; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D012944:Social Support; D013785:Thailand