STAGES OF CHANGE, DECISIONAL BALANCE, AND SELF-EFFICACY ACROSS 4 HEALTH BEHAVIORS IN A WORKSITE ENVIRONMENT

Purpose. This study examined differences in decisional balance and sel f-efficacy scores across the five stages of change and across four hea lth behaviors (exercise, protection from sun exposure, smoking, and di etary fat consumption), and explored the relationship between the freq uency of subjects at each stage across four health behaviors. Design, Data for this study were collected as part of a health behavior survey of employees. Setting The study was conducted in a municipal governme nt worksite in Arizona.Subjects. A total of 393 employees completed th e survey. The sample was predominantly white (84.9%) and male (64.4%), with an average age of 42.2 years and a median annual household incom e of between $40,000 and $59,999. Measures. Previously validated quest ions to measure stages of change, decisional balance, and self-efficac y were administered, along with questions about demographic variables. Results. Significant differences were found for decisional balance an d self-efficacy scores across the five stages of change, but they were not significantly different between the four health behaviors. A mino rity of subjects (18.6%) were in the same stage of change for all four health behaviors. Conclusions. This study provides preliminary eviden ce that there is considerable stage specificity across multiple health behaviors. Because employees at each stage of change possess differen ces in terms of their pros, cons, and self-efficacy, wellness programs need to focus on stage-specific interventions.