Ways to care for the health and physical symptoms: the role of beliefs and actions

Abstract

Health behavior traditionally considered as one of the key factors of health and illness, and while beliefs (attitudes) about health – as an important source of the intention to change this behavior. The aim of the study is to compare the effects of attitudes about the different ways of health care and correspondent actions on subjective health. We hypothesized that behavior moderates relationship between beliefs and health: in particular, the belief in the importance of regular check-ups are associated with better health only in those who do it. 113 adult respondents evaluated 21 ways of health care – how much they believe in their importance and whether they do it on a regular basis. Then we assessed eight subjective health and illness indicators: frequency and duration of flues, the frequency, severity and duration of exacerbations of chronic somatic illnesses, subjective appraisal of physical health, subjective somatic complaints and their presentation to others. According to results, beliefs are easier translated to behavior, if they require less activity, more simple, associated with the actual symptoms, and less socially supported (e.g., alternative medicine). Specific active ways of caring for the health (physical exercises, tempering) are associated with the best appraisal of the health, regardless of belief in their importance. Belief in the importance of regular monitoring and health screening procedures are associated with fewer complaints in only those who follow these beliefs. However, we also found other forms of moderation: in particular, by a number of indicators there are people 'at risk' who considers some behavior important, but does not do it: for instance, the belief in the importance of spare herself in the time of illness and taking vitamins are associated with more frequent presenting of complaints in only those who doesn’t follow these beliefs.