Health attributions and health care behavior interactions in a community sample

Authors
  • Marta Gil-Lacruz

    Zaragoza University

  • Ana Isabel Gil-Lacruz

    Madrid Autonomous University

Keywords:
health attribution, locus of control, health care behavior, health perception
Abstract

In this article we examine the influence of a number of psychosocial variables on health attributions and the use of the health care system. The study sample consisted of 1,032 participants, who were representative of a stratified suburban community in Spain. Homebased interviews were conducted to identify participants’ main health improvement resources. Most answers were related to health attitudes concerning behavior, the health services available to participants, or other external agents. Qualitative and quantitative strategies were employed and results showed that age and health perception were the most reliable predictors of these attitudes. Social variables were found to play an important role in the explanation of participants’ beliefs and medical consultation behaviors.

References
Downloads
Published
2010-07-01
Section
Articles
License

Author(s) agree that copyright of an article published in SBP Journal is transferred from the author(s) to the journal publisher (Scientific Journal Publishers Limited) upon publication.

Disclaimer

Social Behavior and Personality maintains an open editorial policy and may or may not endorse the conclusions made in its published articles. Neither the journal nor its publisher, editors or staff assume any responsibility for any material considered to be offensive or defamatory, or for obtaining any copyright permissions necessary for publication of articles.