The Sense of Mastery and Health-Promoting Behaviors in the Vulnerable Female Elderly of Urban Areas

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was to identify the degree of the sense of mastery and health-promoting behaviors in the vulnerable female elderly of urban areas, and to determine factors influencing their health-promoting behaviors. METHODS: The subjects were 253 vulnerable female elders aged over 60 in D City. Data were collected by a questionnaire survey. Analysis of data was done with the SPSS/WIN program. RESULTS: The mean score of the sense of control was 15.8. It was significantly different according to living arrangement, and subjective health status. The mean score of health-promoting behavior was 3.8. It was significantly different according to living arrangement and subjective health status. Health-promoting behavior was affected more highly in subjects with a low degree of sense of mastery than in those with a medium degree of sense of mastery. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the sense of mastery is an important variable for health-promoting behavior. These findings may give useful information for developing health-promoting programs focused on the sense of mastery in vulnerable female elderly adults.