• Br J Health Psychol · Nov 2008

    Dimensions and profiles of the generalized health-related self-concept.

    • Ulrich Wiesmann, Gabriele Niehörster, Hans-Joachim Hannich, and Ute Hartmann.
    • Institute for Medical Psychology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany. wiesmann@uni-greifswald.de
    • Br J Health Psychol. 2008 Nov 1; 13 (Pt 4): 755-71.

    ObjectivesWe explore the significance of health as a potentially self-relevant category from the perspective of dynamic self-concept theory. Our intention was to describe the dimensional structure of the generalized health-related self-concept, to identify particular prototypes of health-related self-definition, and to see if these prototypes would differ with respect to appraisals of health behaviour and subjective health.DesignWe conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire study involving 545 college students (23.3% male) at the mean age of 22 years.MethodsThe self-administered questionnaire assessed a relevant spectrum of health-related cognitions denoting their generalized declarative knowledge about their health (the generalized health-related self-concept). Additionally, participants rated their multiple health behaviour, their perceived health, and their anticipated vulnerability.ResultsA principal components analysis of the health-related cognitions revealed the following five dimensions: health-protective dispositions, health-protective motivation, vulnerability, health-risky habits, and external, avoidant motivation. A two-step cluster analysis of the five components identified six profiles of health-related self-concept: careless/carefree, omnipotents, risk-takers, mentally affected, reluctant-avoidant, and medically fragile. These prototypes could be successfully reclassified (97.6%). The six profiles differed with respect to their health behaviour and subjective health appraisals.ConclusionsThe dimensional structure represents both resources and deficits with respect to an individual's health-related self-concept. An individual's profile of these dimensions might correspond to a characteristic set of particular health needs and motivations. Successful health communications should follow a complementary strategy of affirming the self-concept.

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