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MA/PhD Theses Abstracts of Current Students & Alumni |
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Kind, Dorle G., December 1988 - DEVELOPMENT OF A STRATEGY UTILIZING HEALTH BELIEFS TO PROMOTE COMPLIANCE IN AN EXERCISE PROGRAM FOR ELDERLY WOMEN
Abstract Physical activity and exercise are important factors in keeping the geriatric population "fit" and free from some of the risk factors associated with aging. In order to become or remain more physically "fit" and to prevent certain risk factors, the older person should ideally adopt and subsequently comply with a health protective behavior such as exercise. The purpose of this study was to develop a strategy utilizing health beliefs to promote initial adoption of and compliance with an exercise program for elderly women. The study was performed at University Community Hospital in Tampa, Florida. The study population consisted of members of University Community Hospital's Auxiliary, who are primarily older women. Two samples were drawn from this population: 1) Auxiliary members who were participants of University Community Hospital's Seniorcise program, and 2) Auxiliary members who did not participate in the Seniorcise program. Seniorcise is a group exercise program designed specifically for women over the age of 50. Data for this study were obtained by means of an informant interview format. The interview instrument consisted of a social demographic component and scales to measure health perception, gender role orientation, and attitudes toward physical activity. In addition, an open-ended question was posed at the close of the interview to solicit qualitative data from the women in each sample. Two profiles of older women emerge from the data analysis. The first woman participates in Seniorcise primarily for her health and secondarily to socialize. She shows strong preference toward physical activity for fitness reasons, social experience, and catharsis. In addition, she perceives herself to resist illness, reject the sick role; however, her health is a source of concern. The nonparticipant woman shows the same preferences as her counterpart; lack of motivation and difference in social participation are discerning factors. Recommendations are based on these profiles and focus on 1) initial motivation to adopt exercise behavior, and 2) subsequent compliance with the behavior.
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