Determinants of a health-promoting lifestyle: an integrative review

Abstract

This paper reports on an integrative review of the research literature published between 1983 and 1991 that focused on identifying the determinants of a health-promoting lifestyle. Twenty-three studies were reviewed, six of which were concerned with children and adolescents and the remaining 17 with adults. A meta-analysis of correlations for each study determinant was conducted using the Pandora System. Results indicated that self-efficacy was the strongest predictor of a health-promoting lifestyle, followed by social support, perceived benefits, self-concept, perceived barriers and health definition. The most frequently studied determinants were not the best predictors of a health-promoting lifestyle.