SELF-EFFICACY, DISPOSITIONAL OPTIMISM AND HEALTH BEHAVIORS IN STUDENTS

<ns3:p>The aim of this study is to verify the relationship between self-efficacy and dispositional optimism and the intensity of health behaviors in a group of students. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 216 students (113 women and 103 men, Mage=19.701.21 years). Psychological resources were verified using the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale GSES and the Life Orientation Questionnaire LOT-R , while the frequencyof health behaviors was diagnosed using the Health Behavior Inventory IZZ. The average GSES result was 27.224.43 points and the average LOT-R score was 14.543.98 points for the entire group. The frequency of undertaking health behaviors was on average level (79.9810.71 points). Correlation analysis showed significant relationships between the intensity of health behaviors and the examined dispositions. In the entire group, IZZ correlated more strongly with optimism than with self-efficacy. The relations between IZZ and GSES and LOT-R vary depending on gender.</ns3:p>