Control constructs: Do they mediate the relation between educational attainment and health behaviour?

J Health Psychol. 2003 May;8(3):361-72. doi: 10.1177/13591053030083006.

Abstract

Health promoting behaviours seem to be more prevalent among people with higher socio-economic status (SES). The main purpose of this article was to study (a) the relationship between education (as a dimension of SES) and intention and health behaviour (fruit/vegetable consumption), (b) the relationship between education and control conceptualizations (health locus of control (HLC), response-efficacy and self-efficacy) and (c) to what extent the relationship between education and intention/health behaviour (fruit/vegetable consumption) was mediated through different control beliefs. The results showed that women with higher education had higher intentions to consume fruit/vegetables and consumed fruit/vegetables more frequently. Higher education was associated with higher self-efficacy and response-efficacy beliefs and less belief in HLC-chance. These control beliefs partly mediated the education-intention/behaviour relationship.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Educational Status*
  • Feeding Behavior / psychology*
  • Female
  • Fruit
  • Health Behavior*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Internal-External Control*
  • Middle Aged
  • Norway
  • Self Efficacy
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Vegetables