The Promotion of Preventive Behaviours in Healthcare Services: A Quantitative Study Among Older Adults in Spain

Preventive health is an emerging area of growing interest that not only influences the well-being and health of the population but also has effects on the economy.

This work analyzes the 'buttons' that can be pushed to influence preventive health behaviours. The aim is to study how the perception of severity and risk of a disease influence preventive behaviours. In addition, the possible limitations associated with this type of action, in the form of rejection of imposed preventive health behaviours, are assessed.

The data come from a quantitative cross-sectional study in which information was gathered from a sample of adults over the age of 65 with a chronic disease.

When actions that restrict the freedom of older adults are imposed, their adoption of preventive health behaviours is not impaired by the lack of freedom per se, nor by the anger elicited by this situation. However, the negative thoughts provoked by the lack of freedom decrease preventive behaviour compliance. In addition, preventive health behaviours can be incentivized by convincing older adults of the negative consequences of the health threat which is to be avoided. On the contrary, the susceptibility, or possibility of experiencing the health threat, does not influence their motivation to engage in preventive health behaviour.

According to the results, information on preventive health behaviours should be aimed at improving the perception of autonomy, reducing negative cognitions, and communication campaigns should prioritize risks associated with the severity of the threat over those associated with vulnerability.