From ability to behavior: A scenario-based assessment of health competence predicts daily health behaviors.

ABSTRACT

Recent findings have suggested that we can gain new insights into health decision-making and behavior through the use of a scenario-based approach to health competence (HC). The present research sought to investigate whether and how such individual differences would matter in the conduct of daily life, within two daily diary studies (N = 260). In Study 1, participants receiving higher HC scores were more active in dealing with daily stressors or problems; by contrast, low-HC individuals were more prone to impulsive and antisocial behaviors. Based on these promising results, the Study 2 protocol was a more extensive one. Participants who received higher HC scores thought about their health more often and engaged in diverse healthy behaviors more frequently. Conversely, low-HC individuals were prone to risky and unhealthy daily behaviors. In total, the findings provide key evidence in favor of a new approach to HC and its behavioral manifestations.