AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE MICRO DIMENSIONS OF A SOCIAL ECOLOGICAL MODEL FOR HEALTH STATUS, HEALTH BEHAVIOR, AND ILLNESS BEHAVIOR

Based on a mailed survey (n = 462) using a purposive sample, this study tested the applicability of selected micro dimensions of a social ecological model for explaining physical health status, health behavior, and illness behavior. The social ecological model utilized in the study included elements of Wallston and Wallston's Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, Moos' Family and Work Environment Scales, and measurements of health as a personal value, stress, and demographic variables. Using stepwise multiple regression analyses, this model was found to be differentially related to various measures of health. Specifically, certain aspects of health status (i.e., perceived level of health and the number of symptoms experienced) were associated with elements of the family environment, demographic factors, external locus of control, stress, and the work environment. Neither the frequency of acute illness nor the tendency for health behaviors however, were well explained by this social ecological model. On the other hand, everyday illness behavior was associated with age, a socioeconomic indicator, the value placed on health, external locus of control, the family environment and the work environment. Further, acute illness behavior was related to the value placed on health, age sex, the work environment, and a socioeconomic measure.;Indicators of illness behavior tendency by type (i.e., amount of effort taken to get well, level of advice sought, and the level of role reduction) were also differentially influenced by these factors. Health locus of control and health as a reinforcement value were most influential for each of these illness behaviors. In addition, the family environment influenced the amount of role reduction; work factors were associated with the amount of effort expended to get well; and, age and socioeconomic level were associated with the amount of advice sought. A model for practice in the area of health was derived from this empirical data relating goals for intervention (i.e., changes in health status vs. changes in illness behavior) to specific sites for intervention (individual factors vs. elements of the social environment).