Gm. Felton et al., DEMOGRAPHIC-FACTORS - INTERACTION EFFECTS ON HEALTH-PROMOTING BEHAVIOR AND HEALTH-RELATED FACTORS, Public health nursing, 14(6), 1997, pp. 361-367
The purpose of this study was to examine the main and interaction effe
cts of race, gender, and education on health-promoting behaviors, prob
lem solving appraisal, health value, and health definition. Using a co
nvenience sample of 331 employees, a series of three-way ANOVAs were p
erformed. Only gender exerted main effects on health-promoting behavio
rs, including exercise, relaxation, and health promotion. No interacti
on effects were presented. Neither main nor interaction effects were f
ound for approaching problems and having confidence in solving problem
s. However, interaction effects indicated that better educated women a
nd better educated black employees perceived less personal control whe
n solving problems. Women valued health more than men, even though the
re were no gender, race or education differences in the sample's defin
ition of health. Community health nurses and workplace wellness planne
rs are challenged to design programs sensitive to gender differences r
egarding health behaviors and the valuing of health. Developing traini
ng programs to enhance personal control over problem situations is als
o indicated.