Worldview and health promoting behavior: a causal model

J Behav Med. 2000 Apr;23(2):163-79. doi: 10.1023/a:1005465102002.

Abstract

The present study investigated the manner in which Pepper's (1942) worldview theory relates to health promoting behavior. A sample of 259 subjects completed a battery of inventories measuring worldview, health promoting behavior (HPB), social class, and sex. The data were analyzed by means of structural equation modeling using the statistical program for the social sciences (SPSS) and the analysis of moment and structure (AMOS) computer programs. The results support the idea that a modest relationship exists between worldview and HPB, with organismic thinkers more likely than mechanistic thinkers to engage in HPB. There was also a slight indirect effect of sex on worldview and HPB, with women more likely to endorse an organismic worldview and therefore more likely to engage in HPB than men. No relationship was found between socioeconomic status and HPB.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Black or African American
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical
  • Female
  • Health Behavior*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Promotion / statistics & numerical data
  • Hispanic or Latino
  • Humans
  • Life Style
  • Male
  • Models, Statistical*
  • Psychological Tests
  • Sex Factors
  • Social Class
  • White People