The Association Between Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours and Coronavirus Protective Behaviours

Gabriel Nudelman, Shira Peleg, Shoshana Shiloh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Based on models of cross-behavioural associations and the role of past behaviour in predicting behaviour, an association was hypothesized between healthy lifestyle behaviours prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and adherence to coronavirus protective behaviours. Self-assessed health was also examined as a potential moderator. Methods: A cross-sectional sample (N = 463) completed online questionnaires during a COVID-19-related lockdown that measured engagement in healthy lifestyle behaviours (e.g., exercising and eating fruits and vegetables), adherence to coronavirus protective behaviours (e.g., wearing a face mask and practicing social distancing), and self-assessed health (subjective evaluation of overall health). Results: As predicted, higher engagement in healthy lifestyle behaviours prior to the pandemic was significantly correlated with higher adherence to coronavirus protective behaviours (Pearson r(459) =.308, p <.001). Adherence levels were higher than engagement in healthy lifestyle behaviours, and self-assessed health was related to the latter but not to the former. Moderation was examined using model 1 in PROCESS for SPSS; as expected, the association was stronger among individuals with higher levels of self-assessed health (coefficient 95% CI [.04,.20]). Conclusions: The findings highlight cross-behavioural facilitating processes, specifically between lifestyle behaviours and adherence to recommended protective behaviours during the pandemic. They also draw attention to the need to address individuals whose poorer evaluations of their general health might prevent them from implementing their behavioural intentions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)779-787
Number of pages9
JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Medicine
Volume28
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2021
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, International Society of Behavioral Medicine.

Keywords

  • Adherence to behavioural recommendations
  • Coronavirus
  • Cross-behaviour associations
  • Healthy lifestyle behaviours
  • Self-assessed health
  • Self-rated health

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