The Revised Health Hardiness Inventory (RRHI-24): psychometric properties and relationship with self-reported health and health behavior in two Dutch samples.

ABSTRACT

Our objective was to examine the psychometric properties of a Dutch translation of the Health Hardiness Inventory (HHI), and to determine relationships between health hardiness scales and self-reported health and preventive health behavior. Data from a cross-sectional study with two samples [a general population sample (n = 205) and a student sample (n = 286)] were analyzed. The Revised Health Hardiness Inventory (RHHI-24) was found to consist of four stable and reliable scales (1) Health Value, (2) Internal Health Locus of Control, (3) External Health Locus of Control and (4) Perceived Health Competence. Women valued their health more than men, older individuals (> 45 years) valued their health more than younger individuals (< or = 45 years) and elderly people (> 65 years) were more externally orientated with respect to health locus of control. Preventive health behavior was related to a higher value placed on health, a lower external health locus of control and a higher perceived health competence. Better self-reported health was related to a higher perceived health competence and a more internally orientated health locus of control. We conclude that the RHHI-24 is a theoretically sound instrument for the measurement of health cognitions.