Page No 209-218
Vidhu Mohan and Sandeep Kumar
Punjabi University, Patiala
Health promoting behaviours can be defined as the manifestation of the inherent human
drive towards achieving optimal well-being, personal satisfaction, and meaningful
existence. The adoption of health promoting behaviours by adolescents significantly
influences their physical and psychological well-being not only in their youth but also
in their later stages of life. Various studies have indicated that factors such as motivation,
self-confidence, locus of control, and sense of coherence play a critical role in shaping
an individual’s inclination towards health promoting behaviours. Against this backdrop,
the current research endeavors to explore the association of health promoting behaviours
with optimism and self-efficacy, among adolescents. The study also aimed at assessing
gender differences in health promoting behaviours, optimism and self-efficacy. Optimism
reflects a positive outlook on both current and future life circumstances, while self
efficacy denotes an individual’s confidence in their ability to accomplish a specific
task. The research data encompassed 142 adolescents (comprising 94 females and
48 males) aged between 14 and 18 years. The participants completed assessments
including the adolescent lifestyle profile-revised (Gaete et al., 2019), optimism scale
(Pedrosa et al., 2015), and general self-efficacy scale (Schwarze & Jerusalem, 2000).
Findings from the study revealed a positive correlation of various dimensions of health
promoting behaviours with optimism and self-efficacy. Furthermore, optimism and self
efficacy have been found to be robust predictors of such behaviours. The findings have
revealed that males exhibited higher levels of health responsibility, physical activity,
nutrition, and positive life perspectives dimensions of health promoting behaviours as
compared to females