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Health as a value: methodological and theoretical considerations.

R R Lau, K A Hartman, J E Ware

Health Psychology : Official Journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association

|January 1, 1986

Summary

This study introduces a new scale to measure the value placed on health, finding it increases with age in girls and is higher in middle-aged women. High health value predicts better adherence to preventive behaviors when health is the primary motivator.

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Area of Science:

Health Psychology
Behavioral Science
Psychometrics

Background:

The value of health is central to health behavior theories but often assumed, not measured.
This assumption limits the empirical testing of theories incorporating health value.
A validated measure is needed to accurately assess the importance individuals place on their health.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop and validate a brief Likert scale for measuring the value placed on health.
To examine demographic differences (age, sex) in health value.
To investigate the relationship between health value and health behaviors, considering moderating factors.

Main Methods:

Development of a 4-item Likert scale to assess health value.
Administration of the scale across five diverse samples.

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Analysis of demographic variables and their correlation with health value.

Examination of the interaction between health value, health locus of control, and preventive behavior.

Main Results:

Health value increases with age in females, plateauing in late adolescence.
Middle-aged women report higher health value than middle-aged men; no sex difference in undergraduates.
High health value amplifies the predictive power of health beliefs on subsequent health behaviors when health is the primary motivator.

Conclusions:

The developed scale provides a reliable measure of health value.
Health value exhibits distinct demographic patterns and influences health behavior engagement.
Future research should consider the interplay of multiple values in motivating health behaviors.