Health Promoting Lifestyle among Youth of Samastipur District

Description

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Reeta Chauhan¹ and Himanshu Chauhan² (Department of Psychology, Samastipur College, Samastipur, L. N. Mithila University, Darbhanga, Bihar¹ and Department of Psychology, B.H.U., Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh²)

The present study investigates the demographic determinants of health-promoting lifestyles such as family structure, levels of education, and levels of self-efficacy among youth of Samastipur district. A total of N=285 students participated in the study. A purposive sampling method was employed to gather the data. The Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile (Walker, Sechrist, & Pender, 1996) and the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (Schwarzer & Jerusalem, 1995) were utilized to evaluate the variables under study. A 2*3*3 ANOVA was conducted using SPSS software. The findings indicated that the interaction effect of family structure*levels of education*levels of self-efficacy was not statistically significant. Two-way interaction revealed that Ph.D. candidates from nuclear families exhibit better awareness of their health responsibilities, and Ph.D. students with average self-efficacy demonstrate enhanced health responsibility and nutrition. The main effects of these factors revealed that youth emerging from a joint family structure exhibit a greater sense of health responsibility, increased levels of physical activity, and better stress management capabilities. Youth engaged in doctoral studies showed increased commitment to health responsibility, nutrition and had a more pronounced inclination towards spiritual growth. Youth possessing high self-efficacy exhibit significant effects across all domains and overall health-promoting lifestyle.