Factors Associated With Health-Promoting Behaviors Among South Korean Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of health-promoting behaviors.
• Understanding factors influencing these behaviors is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between positive psychological capital, social support, illness attitudes towards COVID-19, and health-promoting behaviors in South Korean adults.

Main Methods:

• An online cross-sectional study involving 820 South Korean adults (aged 19-64).
• Data collected via online questionnaires assessing psychological capital, social support, illness attitudes, and health-promoting behaviors.
• Statistical analyses included t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and multiple stepwise regression.

Main Results:

• High positive psychological capital, strong social support, negative illness attitudes, religiosity, and self-perceived physical health were associated with increased health-promoting behaviors.
• These factors collectively explained 44.5% of the variance in health-promoting behaviors.

Conclusions:

• This study is the first to explore illness attitudes and health-promoting behaviors in South Korean adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Findings suggest that interventions should consider religiosity, physical health, illness attitudes, and social support to promote healthy living during public health crises.