The Relationship between the Family Functions and Health - Promoting Behaviors of Nursing Students in Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background: The health-promoting behaviors (HPBs) of nursing students may affect the clinical services that they provide to clients. In turn, these students' HPBs may be related to their perceptions of how their families function. On the basis of these issues, this correlational study was conducted to determine the relationship between the HPBs and family functions of nursing students. Methods: Through stratified random sampling, 458 students from Tehran universities were selected for participation in the study. Data were collected using a demographic characteristics questionnaire, the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile 11 (HPLP-II), and the Family Assessment Device (FAD). The data were then analyzed using an independent t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: The mean overall HPLP-II score of the participants was 2.57 +/- 0.35. and their mean overall FAD score was 2.51 +/- 0.17. The total score with regard to family functions was negatively correlated with HPBs (r = -0.178, P<0.01). Conclusion: Policymakers in the nursing discipline should pay increased attention to nursing students' family functions and HPBs and determine the factors that may influence their engagement in such behaviors.