AN ASSOCIATION BETWEEN COLLEGE STUDENTS' HEALTH PROMOTION PRACTICES AND PERCEIVED STRESS.

This study was undertaken to gain a better understanding of health promotion practices among college students and the relationship of stress and the practice of various health behaviors. Method: In Fall 2008, 319 students from a mid-size university participated in a cross-sectional survey utilizing the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile H (HPLP II). Findings: This study identified a group of health-related behaviors and ways of thinking that may protect students from stress. In addition, a dose response was suggested. Specifically, lower stressed students (PSS mean = 16.96 S.D. =4.05) were more likely than higher stressed students (PSS mean = 28.95, S.D. =4.21) to routinely practice 14 of 52 health-promoting behaviors or ways of thinking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]