Development and Validation of a Short Health Behaviors Index for Use with Low Socioeconomic Status (SES) Older Adults

This study reports on the development and validation of a health behavior index in predominantly low socioeconomic status (SES) older adults. In order to develop and validate the index for use in low SES older adults, the 24-item Health and Human Services HealthStyle Self-Test was used for item generation. It was reduced to a relatively brief instrument, the Short HealthStyle (SHS) Index with 13 items that measures four major content areas of lifestyle behaviors among low SES older adults. The SHS Index was administered to a sample of 350 low SES older individuals. Principal component model factor analysis indicated a four-factor structure. Items loading on the first factor appeared to assess fitness and leisure activities, whereas those loading on the second and third factor assessed nutrition practices and stress control, respectively. A fourth factor assessed drinking/eating behaviors. Discriminant validity of the SHS was confirmed using the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, and other health measures that indicated distinct constructs. Internal consistency for the SHS was .72 using Chronbach's alpha. Overall, the SHS Index displayed good psychometric properties in this sample, suggesting the appropriateness of using it to measure selected health behaviors with low SES older adults.