Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to identify factors influencing health promotion behavior of the low-income elderly women in urban area.
METHODS
The subjects of this study consisted of 389 the low-income Korean elderly women over 65 years. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, One-way ANOVA, Pearson Correlation Coefficients, Stepwise Multiple Regression with SPSS/Win 12.0.
RESULTS
1) Activity limitation was found to have a statistically significant negative correlation. But self-rated health, self-esteem, and social support were found to have a statistically significant positive correlation with health promotion behavior 2) The factors influencing health promotion behavior were self-esteem, social support, activity limitation, self-rated health, pocket money, and religion. They accounted for 36.8% of the variance for health promotion behavior in the low-income elderly women living in urban area. The most powerful predictor was self-esteem(28.1%).
CONCLUSION
This study showed that making a thorough assessment of the predictors influencing health promotion behavior in the low-income elderly women who remain vulnerable in diverse aspects is very important to minimize their health issues and to contribute their positive health promotion.

• Keywords: Elderly women; Health promoting behavior