Craig M. Becker

HEALTH PROMOTING BEHAVIORS OF OLDER AMERICANS VERSUS YOUNG AND MIDDLE AGED ADULTS

Health promoting behaviors have become increasingly important as Americans attempt to retain their youth and health. This study collected self-reported data from 559 participants in the Southwest United States using the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II to compare the health promoting behaviors of older adults (60–92 years), middle-aged adults (40–59 years), and younger adults (18–39 years). Results indicate that older adults engage in more nutrition and health responsibility behaviors and score highest in the broad range of health promoting behaviors assessed. Results suggest that gerontologists may benefit programmatically from identifying factors associated with those older adults who more frequently engage in health behaviors.

Validity Evidence for the Salutogenic Wellness Promotion Scale (SWPS)

OBJECTIVES To test the validity, reliability, and uses of the multidimensional Salutogenic Wellness Promotion Scale (SWPS). METHODS Self-reported (n = 2140) demographic and scale data from a large university (23,000+ students) were collected and analyzed. Dependent measures included grade point average (GPA) and perceived health. RESULTS Analyses confirmed the SWPSs 7-factor multidimensional structure and its use for describing and predicting associated outcomes. The analyses of frequency distributions, means, correlations, and regressions found significant relationships between measured health behaviors, perceived health, and GPA. CONCLUSIONS The SWPS provides valid and reliable information about positive health potential for research and field health professionals.

Development and Preliminary Evaluation of a Positive Health Scale

Abstract Background: Health educators have long advocated health promotion, yet their health measurement techniques have a pathogenic focus. Pathogenesis refers to the origin of a disease and the chain of events (precursors) leading to that disease. Traditional health measurement tools with this focus therefore measure health by assessing for the absence of disease or associated risk factors. Salutogenesis, as proposed by Aaron Antonovsky, refers to associated factors and precursors of good health similar to how pathogenesis focuses on associated factors and precursors of bad health. Purpose: This study proposes a health measurement scale with a salutogenic focus that measures health by assessing for the multidimensional capacity or potential for good health. Methods: Two samples of university students (N=226, N=365) were surveyed to develop and test the psychometric properties of the Salutogenic Wellness Promotion Scale (SWPS). Results: The SWPS demonstrated a multidimensional structure with good internal consistency, that positively correlated with and predicted perceived health (p<.001), and did not invoke socially desirable responses. Discussion: The SWPS demonstrated preliminary evidence of reliability and validity in its measurement of health potential. Translation to Health Education Practice: Using the SWPS could assist health educators in developing methodologies and practices that facilitate improved health status.

Evaluation of the Reliability and Validity of an Adult Version of the Salutogenic Wellness Promotion Scale (SWPS)

Abstract Background: Traditional health measurement tools use a pathogenic, or disease origins framework, to assess for the absence of disease or risk factors. Good or positive health, however, is more than the absence of disease and current tools do not reflect this. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test the psychometric properties of the adult version of the multidimensional Salutogenic Wellness Promotion Scale (SWPS), a tool designed to measure positive health. Methods: Building on the previously validated young adult version of the SWPS, new scale items were developed for working adults. A sample of 304 administrative, academics, and staff personnel tested the psychometric properties of the adult version of the SWPS. Results: The SWPS demonstrated it had a seven factor multidimensional structure, had good internal consistency, and was positively correlated with perceived health (p<.0001) and life satisfaction (p<.001). Validity was also supported by negative correlations between the SWPS and both a depression and symptom measure. Discussion: The SWPS demonstrated good evidence of reliability and validity and fills a positive health status assessment need. Translation to Health EducationPractice: Using the SWPS with adult populations could assist health educators in their development of effective health promotion practices.

It’s time to make the profession of health about health

Most professional health publications and presentations are not about health, but about how to avoid, prevent, or treat disease or infirmity. Better health cannot be attained by simply avoiding, preventing, or treating problems. Health efforts, therefore, should be directed toward creating physical, mental, and social wellbeing. To guide these efforts, salutogenesis, a theoretical framework about the origins or creation of health, is needed to complement the traditional pathogenesis framework that focuses on the origins and causes of disease. Salutogenic strategies are necessary to help health professionals promote positive health enhancement by making their practices about health.

Why be smoke-free? A qualitative study of smoke-free restaurant owner and manager opinions.

This qualitative study captured the opinions of the owners and managers of smoke-free restaurants. The purpose of this study, initiated by local citizens who were members of a group called Healthy Alamance, was to identify the motivations and experiences of restaurant owners and managers who had committed to smoke-free indoor environments. Telephone interviews were attempted with all 80 owners/managers of smoke-free restaurants in Alamance County, North Carolina, and 87.5% of these restaurant owners/managers completed the interview. The investigators isolated economic factors, customer demands and considerations, and environmental issues as the three principal categories describing smoke-free restaurant owners’ and managers’ motivations for becoming smoke free. The results from this study can be used to assist communities working toward the development of a smoke-free restaurant campaign.

Important Competencies for Future Health and Wellness Professionals: An Investigation of Employer Desired Skills

Abstract This study was designed to investigate the validity of the professional competencies developed by the Association of Worksite Health Promotion (AWHP) Professional Standards Task Force. The task force identified a competency framework that included business skills, program coordination skills, and human resource skills with corresponding subskills. The AWHP Task Force also recommended education degrees/certifications and desirable wellness/health promotion on-the-job-experience for program providers. In response to requests by professional organizations, 418 working health professionals voluntarily completed an online survey about the usefulness of the AWHP competency framework. Data were collected from members of the former AWHP (now part of American College of Sports Medicine), the National Wellness Institute, the Health Education Directory, and HPCareer.net. Findings indicate expected skill competencies of health professionals have expanded, and corresponding curriculum adjustments are needed. The results further indicated that continual development of a set of professional standards for the health promotion field is timely and needed.

Process measures: a leadership tool for management

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to encourage the use of ongoing process-based measurement methods, specifically, control charts, as a process measurement tool to guide leadership improvement efforts. The work of Deming will be highlighted while providing a review of measurement methods. Design/methodology/approach – Organizational leadership requires inspiring people and creating an environment so everyone can contribute toward the success of the organization. To accomplish this, a leader needs appropriate, real-time information about how to adjust the current situation. Rather than waiting for something to go wrong and then attempting to fix the situation or tamper with the process, management should use process measures to guide improvement efforts. Findings – Real-time process measures guide improvement efforts by the workers and management because it enables them to pay attention to the process while simultaneously performing it. Traditional improvement methods often lead to worse results becau...

Adapting and Using Quality Management Methods to Improve Health Promotion

Although the western world is the most technologically advanced civilization to date, it is also the most addicted, obese, medicated, and in-debt adult population in history. Experts had predicted that the 21st century would be a time of better health and prosperity. Although wealth has increased, our quest to quell health problems using a pathogenic approach without understanding the interconnectedness of everyone and everything has damaged personal and planetary health. While current efforts help identify and eliminate causes of problems, they do not facilitate the creation of health and well-being as would be done with a salutogenic approach. Sociologist Aaron Antonovsky coined the term salutogenesis in 1979. It is derived from salus, which is Latin for health, and genesis, meaning to give birth. Salutogenesis, the study of the origins and creation of health, provides a method to identify an interconnected way to enhance well-being. Salutogenesis provides a framework for a method of practice to improve health promotion efforts. This article illustrates how quality management methods can be used to guide health promotion efforts focused on improving health beyond the absence of disease.

Update on Validity of Required Competencies for Worksite Health Professionals

Background: To improve global health, the workforce capacity of health promotion professionals must be strengthened through the provision of competencies necessary to deliver effective programs. Purpose: This study provides an updated analysis of the validity of the worksite health promotion (WHP) professional competencies developed in 2000 by the Association for Worksite Health Promotion (AWHP). Competencies and subcompetencies included were in the areas of business, program coordination, and human resources, as well as education and experience requirements. Methods: Study participants were recruited through 3 professional organizations that distributed recruitment letters electronically to their members. Letters requested that participants complete an online survey on the current importance of the AWHP competencies. Results: A substantial majority of the respondents rated the 3 competency areas, the subcompetencies included under those areas, and the education and experience requirements as either somewhat important or essential. Discussion: The study findings reestablish the importance of the core professional competencies developed in the 2000 by the AWHP and revalidated in a 2004 follow-up study and suggest that these competencies are still highly relevant for todays WHP professionals. Translation to Health Education Practice: The validated WHP professional competencies serve as a foundation for designing appropriate curricula for the training of current and future health professionals.