Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of this study is to identify the influential factors on health behavior of the middle and elderly generations in a rural community. Methods: The subjects of this study were 495 people. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, T-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. Results: 1. The differences of health behavior by sample characteristics were found to have significance of age, marital status, residence status, education level, and occupation. 2. The level of health behavior was related positively to the level of social support and self-efficacy. The level of health behavior was related negatively to the level of anxiety and depression. 3. The multiple regression analysis revealed that the most powerful predictor of health behavior was 'social support,' followed by anxiety and self-efficacy. A combination of social support (42.1%), anxiety (3.0%) and self-efficacy (0.8%) accounted for 45.9% of the variance in health behavior in the middle and elderly subjects. Conclusions:. The findings of this study could be effectively used to develop a practical management strategy to help promote health and health behavior of the middle and elderly people living in rural communities. In addition, the one idea to be emphasized should be the development of efficient health education programs that can have a favorable effect on the middle and elderly generations' physical, psychological and social health.
