Abstract
Objectives: This study was conducted to identify health-promoting behaviors and related factors by type of residence between two groups of college students: those who live in dormitories and those who commute from home. Methods: We used the data from 2,287 students (870 male, 1417 female) from 14 colleges in Daegu and Kyungpook areas and compared health-promoting practice scores, general characteristics, health environment, and parental support. Multiple regression analysis was performed with health-promoting practice scores as a dependent variable. Results: Dormitory residents presented significantly lower health-promoting practice scores than commuters in both gender. Multiple regression analysis showed that the factors associated with health-promoting behaviors were health environment (p<0.05) and parental influence/support (p<0.01) for male dormitory residents. For female dormitory residents interest in health(p<0.05), stress(p<0.05), and parental influence/support(p<0.01) were associated. Conclusions: Systematic development of health education programs would be needed for the practice of health promotion behavior of college dormitory students with the help of environmental and institutional support. We suggest a program for stress management, smoking, health behavior, and alcohol and a parental program to increase contact with their children for a positive parental influence and support.