Abstract:
The purpose of this correlational predictive research were to examine predictive relationships among selected factors on health promoting behaviors of young adults. The theoretical framework was based on Penders Health Promotion Model. Four hundred young adults were selected from Nakonsrithammarat and Suratthani Province. Data were collected by using nine questionnaires, including the demographic questionnaires, Prior Health Promoting Behaviors, Perceived Barriers of Health Promoting Behaviors, Perceived Benefits of Health Promoting Behaviors, Percevied Self-efficacy in Health Promoting Behaviors, Health Promoting Behaviors-related Effect, Family Influences, Situational Influences and Health Promoting Behaviors Questionnaires. Content validity and reliability of the instruments were investigated. Cronbachs alpha Coefficients of all measures, except demographic questionnaires, were .91, .94, .94, .91, .80, .90, .82 and .89, respectively. Data were analyzed using percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearsons Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and Multiple Regression (Enter). Results were as follows: 1. The total mean score for health promoting behaviors was 3.56 (SD=0.57), and had scores at a moderated level. 2. Prior health promoting behavior, perceived benefits of health promoting behavior, perceived self-efficacy in health promoting behaviors, health promoting behavior-related affect, family influences and situational influences were significantly positive correlated at high and moderate level (p‹.05; r = .80, .73, .62, .53, .50, and .44, respectively), but perceived barriers of health promoting behaviors was significantly negative correlated at mild level with health promoting behaviors of young adults (p< .05; r= -.28). 3. Significantly predictors health promoting behaviors of young adults were prior health promoting behaviors, perceived self-efficacy in health promoting behaviors, family influences, situational influences, health promoting behaviors-related affect, and perceived barriers of health promoting behaviors (p<.05). The predictive power was 74 % of the variance (Adjusted R2 = 0.74, p‹ .05). The finding indicate that is usefullgiude for explaining and predicting health promoting behaviors of young adults.