All Volumes (2001-2008)
Volume
Volume VII, 2008
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Linda Foley
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2008
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine if a gender bias exists in perceptions of a healthy vs. unhealthy lifestyle. The study was a 2 (male or female) x 2 (healthy or unhealthy) between subjects factorial design. College students (N = 53) read a scenario describing a lifestyle of a stimulus person. The participants then answered a 16-item questionnaire. The hypothesis that there is a gender difference in perceptions of a healthy lifestyle was not strongly supported. There was a strong main effect for the type of lifestyle with participants viewing the healthy lifestyle more positively. The hypothesis that participants who perceived themselves to be healthy would respond more positively to the description of the healthy lifestyle was supported for only two questions. In contrast to prior research, the results indicate that gender is not extremely important in regard to perceptions of an individual’s health.
Suggested Citation
Budesa, Tracy; Egnor, Erin; and Howell, Lauren, "Gender Influence on Perceptions of Healthy and Unhealthy Lifestyles" (2008). All Volumes (2001-2008). 3.
https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/ojii_volumes/3