Testing the Theory of Transcending Options: health behaviors of single parents

The Theory of Transcending Options was developed in a grounded theory study of the health behaviors of female single parents. The 2-year study reported in this article is the first statistical test of the associations between the independent variables identified in the theory and the number of health behaviors practiced by divorced women with children. Data on demographics, psychological variables, and social support were collected from 148 women at three points in time over 2 years. These data were entered into three stepwise multiple regression analyses, with health behaviors as the dependent variable. Each analysis was statistically significant. The independent variables that made statistically significant contributions to health behavior practices in one or more of the regression analyses were education, number of years single, depression level, self-esteem, and total social support. The results of this study indicate that further clarification and testing of the theory are warranted.