A causal model of lifestyle modification behaviors in Thai adults hypertension

Abstract

This path analytic study was to examine the causal model of lifestyle modification behaviors in Thai adults with hypertension. A 240 Thai adults with hypertension were recruited at the out-patient clinics in five hospitals in Thailand through stratified random sampling. A set of six questionnaires was used to collect the data. The questionnaires were examined for their content validity by a panel of experts. The reliability of all the questionnaires was between .75 - .91. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and path analysis. The findings presented as follow; 1) The goodness of fit indices indicated that the final model fitted well with the data (x/df- 95; p-value=.51; GFI=.99; AGFI=.99; CFI=1.00; NNFI=1.00; RSMEA=.00; SRMR=.03). 2) Fourteen paths of the total sixteen paths were statistically significant in the final model. Perceived behavioral control (PBC) and social support had positive and direct influences on lifestyle modification behaviors (B=.33, p <.001; B=.38, p <.001, respectively). Social support, desire, and PBC had a positive and direct influence on intention (B=.11, p <05; B=.54, p <.001; B=.18, p <01, respectively). Self-efficacy, intention, and PBC had a positive and direct influence on trying (B = 46, P <001; B=.18, p <01; B= 18, p <.05, respectively). Attitude and illness identity directly affected PBC (B=.56, p <001; B=- 18, p <01, respectively). Attitude, social support, self-efficacy, and PBC influenced desire positively and directly (B=.26, p <.001; B=.17, p <01; B=.20, p<01; B=29, p <01, respectively). 3) Social support and PBC accounted for 38% of the total variance in lifestyle modification behaviors (R2=.38). The findings provided data for nurses and health personnel to develop interventions for promoting the lifestyle modification behaviors among adults with hypertension.