| Health promotion for the older adult is of critical concern for nursing. Health promotion activities may help this group maintain their health, experience optimal functional capacity, remain independent, and lower medical costs. Limited and conflicting information on health promotion activities and factors that influence these behaviors is available in this population. The purpose of this study was to identify determinants of a health-promoting lifestyle in an older adult population by examining components of the Health Promotion Model. The study also used structural equation modeling to examine the psychometric properties of the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLPII) in older adults.;A survey design was used to gather data. Convenience sampling techniques were used to survey 900 adults over the age of 60. Subjects were recruited via a network of persons known to the researcher and through senior organizations and independent living facilities in Central Illinois. The subjects completed four questionnaires: The Participant Profile, Laffrey Health Conception Scale, Perceived Health Competence Scale, and the Lifestyle Profile II. All questionnaires were returned anonymously by mail.;Analysis showed that older adults had scored higher in health promotion activities related to spiritual growth, interpersonal relations, and stress management. Path analysis and multiple regression showed that perceived health, gender, education, race, definition of health, and self-efficacy were significantly related to the older adults practice of health promotion behaviors.;Structural equation modeling was used to test the psychometric properties of the HPLPII. Testing of the measurement models reduced the HPLPII from 52 to 22 items. Examination of the R2 and T-values for the 22-item higher order model indicated that the instrument was a reliable and valid measure of health-promoting lifestyle in an older adult population. Cronbach's alpha showed the 22-item instrument had a high degree of internal consistency (r = 0.89). |
