Self-Efficacy as a Predictor of Dietary Change in a Low-Socioeconomic-Status Southern Adult Population

Jackilen Shannon, Betty Kirkley, Alice Ammerman, Thomas Keyserling, Kristine Kelsey, Robert DeVellis, Ross J. Simpson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

There is an increasing emphasis on designing health promotion interventions for low-socioeconomic-status (SES) individuals. However, many previously developed behavior change tools have not been tested in this population. Self-efficacy was measured at pre- and postintervention as part of a randomized clinical trial to reduce cholesterol levels in rural low-SES Southern adults. A 22-item scale was designed and validated to measure subjects' confidence in their abilities to make dietary changes. High mean self-efficacy was noted in both control and intervention subjects at pre- and postintervention. Mean self-efficacy score was a significant predictor of dietary change at both preintervention and postintervention. This study demonstrates that self-efficacy is a predictor of ability to make dietary changes in a low-SES rural population. This finding is of significance to researchers and practitioners wishing to design theory-based health promotion interventions in this population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)357-368
Number of pages12
JournalHealth Education and Behavior
Volume24
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1997
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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