The Effect of Health Coaching Programs on Self-Efficacy, Health Behaviors, and Quality of Life in Hypertensive People Living in Poverty

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine the effects of health coaching and mediating variables on quantitative aspect of health in low-income hypertensive people. METHODS: The experimental group for the current study consisted of 21 clients who received health coaching services, and the control group consisted of 22 clients who received home-visiting nursing services. Two groups received health coaching or home-visiting nursing services once a week for 8 weeks. The evaluation variables were self-efficacy, nutrition management, health behaviors, self-rated health, and quality of life. RESULTS: The results revealed that the level of nutrition management was significantly higher in the experimental group than the control group (F=10.33, p=.005). CONCLUSION: These results confirm that health coaching is a useful strategy that encourages clients to continuously maintain their own health behaviors. Thus, the findings of the current study provide useful data for establishing measures for the health management of those afflicted with chronic disease, such as hypertension. Furthermore, health coaching may be developed into useful intervention strategies for dealing with chronic diseases and improving home-visiting nursing.