The relationship between health concepts and health promotion behaviors in college students

The relationship between health concepts (independent variables) and health promoting behaviors (dependent variables) among college students at a small Northern California community college were identified. Using descriptive survey design, data were collected from 70 students who utilized the student health center during the data collection period. Laffrey's Health Conception Scale and Pender's Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile were used for data collection.;Data were described using percentages for the uncontrolled variables. Mean and standard deviation were used to describe the group responses to the dependent and independent variables. Spearman's rho correlation was done on variables to determine if relationships existed between health concepts and health promoting behaviors.;The findings indicated a weak relationship between the variables. The differences in means showed no statistically significant relationships. Conclusions indicated that although students had positive health concepts, they did not necessarily engage in health promoting behaviors.