Prediction of Health Promoting Behaviors Through the Health Locus of Control in a Sample of Adolescents in Iran

Background Health promoting behaviors are amongst the best methods through which people can maintain and control their health. Objectives The aim of this study was the prediction of health promoting behaviors through the health locus of control in a sample of adolescents in Bandar Abbas, in the south of Iran. Methods In this cross-sectional study, the Wallston questionnaire and adolescent health promoting scale were used for data collection. From the 378 distributed questionnaires among the students, 342 questionnaires were completed and returned (response rate = 90.5%). Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regressions were used to analyze the data by the SPSS 19 software. Results The mean age of the subjects was 16.1 ± 1.1 years. Overall, 44.7% were male. The results showed that 12% of changes in health promoting behaviors were predicted by the health locus of control (including internal locus of control, chance and the powerful others) (P < 0.001, F = 15.5, R² = 0.12). Among the predictive factors, the internal locus of control (B = 0.25, P < 0.001) and powerful others (B = 0.16, P < 0.01) significantly predicted health promoting behaviors. Conclusions Strengthening the internal locus of control and following up the advices of individuals like physicians and health experts are recommended to promote the health behaviors of students.