Abstract

This study is a psychometric evaluation of a new measure of motivation in health behavior. The Health Self-Determinism Index was completed by 202 randomly selected adults via a mail survey. The multidimensionality of the construct was supported through the factorial isolation of four subscales: self-determined health judgments, self-determined health behavior, perceived competency in health matters, and internal-external cue responsiveness. These four factors accounted for 56% of the total explained variance in the measure. The alpha reliability coefficient for the total scale is .84; the internal consistency of the four subscales is supported by alpha reliability coefficients of .75, .75, .67, and .69, respectively. With refinement, this measure will enable exploration of client antecedents and correlates of motivation in health behavior. Further, specific nursing interventions can be examined for their ability to alter clients' motivation in relation to specific health behaviors. Finally, the role of motivation in predicting health outcomes can be explored.