Subjective life expectancy and health behaviors among STD clinic patients.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether people who expect to live longer engage in healthier behaviors relative to people who expect to live shorter lives.


METHODS
Patients (994 black Americans, 373 white Americans) from a publicly funded clinic estimated their expected survival age and reported their health behaviors (alcohol, tobacco, and drug use; sexual behaviors; physical activity; and sleep).


RESULTS
Subjective life expectancy (SLE) was a significant predictor of health behavior for both men and women. Race moderated the SLE-health behavior relation but only for alcohol and tobacco use.


CONCLUSIONS
Future research should explore the potential health benefits of shifting SLE from a more limited to an expansive perspective.
Scott-Sheldon
Lori A J
LA
Center for Health and Behavior, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244-2340, USA. lajss@syr.edu
Carey
Michael P
MP
Vanable
Peter A
PA
Senn
Theresa E
TE
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001290:Attitude; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D012907:Smoking; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D047568:Unsafe Sex; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*