title: Testing theoretical relationships: factors influencing positive health practices (PHP) in Filipino college students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine variables influencing the positive health practices (PHP) of Filipino college students to gain a better understanding of health practices in this ethnic/racial group. Cross-sectional study tested theoretical relationships postulated among (a) PHP, (b) social support (SS), (c) optimism, and (d) acculturation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of Filipino college students (N = 226) aged 18 to 21 was obtained in June 2009.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants completed 4 instruments. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 16.0.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Positive correlations were found between PHP and SS (r = .39, p = .01) and optimism and PHP (r = .36, p = .01). No correlation was found between PHP and acculturation. Optimism and SS predicted performance of PHP (R (2) = .18, F[2, 221] = 24.927, p < .001). A difference was found in acculturation levels between participants who grew up in the United States (t[223] = 4.5, p < .001) and those who did not.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings help health practitioners and educators to better understand the underlying factors that influence PHP in this population.
authors: School of Nursing, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Camden, New Jersey 08102-1402, USA. cgayres@rutgers.edu
authors: Cynthia
authors: C
authors: Ayres
authors: Ganga
authors: G
authors: Mahat
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Atkins
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010679:Philippines / Q000208:ethnology; D012944:Social Support; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult