A structural equation model of health promoting behavior of Chinese international students in Korea

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to identify the causal relationship among the factors related to the health promoting behavior of Chines international students in Korea. The research method is to build a hypothetical model based on a conceptual framework of Pender’s health promotion model and literature reviews. Self-esteem and social support were included to the variables of individual characteristics and experiences, and perceived health status, self-efficacy, acculturative stress and acculturation level were included to the variables of behavioral-specific cognition and affects. The data was collected from November 15, 2010 to February 28, 2011 from Chinese international students currently enrolled in formal academic degree at the 10 universities located in Seoul-metropolitan area in Korea and staying in Korea at least six months. A self-administered questionnaire in standard Chinese was distributed. Out of 300 questionnaires, 272 were included in analysis after data cleaning. The results are as follows.1.The health promoting behavior of Chinese international students in Korea was significantly influenced by the perceived health status, the self-esteem, the acculturative stress and the acculturation level and is explained 30 percent by the 4 variables. The perceived health status is the strongest determinant.2.The perceived health status was affected by the social support and self-efficacy and was explained 12%. The social support was the strongest determinant.3.The self-efficacy was affected by the self-esteem and was explained 42%.4.The acculturative stress was influenced by the self-efficacy and the social support, explained by 19 %. The self-efficacy was the strongest determinant.5.The acculturation level was affected by the social support, but was explained by only 2%.In summary, Chinese international students in Korea with the higher the perceived health status, the self-esteem, the acculturation level, and the lower the acculturative stress reported the higher health promoting behavior. These results can be applied to develop the intervention strategy to maintain and encourage the health promoting behavior of the Chinese international students in Korea.Further study is suggested for international students from other countries. Also, the concept of acculturation needs to be included in health promotion and overall health care in this global time.