Perceptions of generalized self-efficacy, social support, and health promotion lifestyles in single mothers

Abstract

Descriptive research was conducted to describe the relationship among perceptions of generalized self-efficacy, social support, and a health promoting lifestyle in single mothers. A convenience sample of 50 single mothers answered four questionnaires designed to measure selected demographic variables, generalized self-efficacy expectations, social support, and health promoting lifestyle practices. The relationship between self-efficacy and health promoting lifestyle practices in the single mothers was found to be positive and significant (r =.63, p .001). Significant positive correlations were also found between social support ("total number of contacts") and health promoting lifestyles (r =.57, p .001). No relationship was found between self-efficacy and social support. Selected demographic variables were significantly related to indices of social support. The practice of a healthy lifestyle by single mothers may be influenced by reinforcement of their self-efficacy and social support.