Relationship between Self-Efficacy in Mothers and Health-Promoting Behaviors in Their Daughters

Introduction: Health-promoting behaviors are among the major health determining criteria. Today, it is believed that the individuals must have the necessary self-efficacy so that they can successfully change their behavior and improve their health. Adolescence is a period in which individuals are at risk of several health-threatening behaviors, such as an increase in food intake, reduction in physical activity, and increase in developmental vulnerability, which could also be a threat to their future health. Consulting adolescents about changing their behavior can enhance different areas of health, including their mental and physical health. Thus, improving the status of health-promoting behaviors in adolescents may prevent many health problems from happening in adolescents. Differences observed in the status of health-promoting behaviors may result from the effects of health components or a range of personal, socio-economic, and environmental factors determining the health status of individuals or people. Numerous factors affect health and there is a mutual relationship between them. This study aimed to determine the relationship between mothers' self-efficacy and health-promoting behaviors in their daughters in the high school second period of Shiraz city in 2018. Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive correlational study. The statistical population consisted of all high school girl students in the second period and their mothers in Shiraz city (n=51234 . The research environment of this study was high schools of Shiraz city. According to Cochran's formula, the sample size was calculated to be 384 (high school students and their mothers in Shiraz city . The research inclusion criteria are the informed consent of parents and high school girl students in the second period. The research sample was selected using a random multi-stage clustering method in a way that 4 high schools were randomly selected from 4 regions of the city using a multi-stage clustering method. After the schools were selected, the researcher introduced him to the high school manager and randomly selected one class out of each grade of high school. Then the quota sampling was carried out among the class students given the ratio of the total students of 4 schools by obtaining the informed consent of the students and parents in the session held. First the session was arranged with the attendance of the mothers and their daughters. The research was introduced and the samples were selected from the individuals who expressed their complete consent. Sherer General Self-efficacy and Walker's Health-Promoting Lifestyle questionnaires were used in this study. A session was held, at first, for the parents in the intended schools and the research objectives were explained. If the parents and their children consented to participate in the study, then the next session would be held and the questionnaires distributed after obtaining the informed consent from the parents and students. Mothers completed the self efficacy questionnaire and the high school students of the second period filled in the Health-Promoting Lifestyle questionnaire.  The obtained data were analyzed at descriptive and inferential levels. According to descriptive statistics, 31.5% of students were studying in grade 10, 33.3% in grade 11, and 35.2% in grade 12. Moreover, 38.5% of the participating students' mothers were 31-40 years old, 5% were between 41 and 50 years old, and 11.5% were older than 50 years. About 11.5% of the participating students' mothers were self-employed, 18.2% were employees, and 70.3% were housewives. About 28.9% of the participating students' mothers held a diploma degree and lower, 65.9% held a bachelor's degree, and 5.2% held a master's degree and higher. At the level of inferential statistics, Pearson and Spearman correlation test, t-test and Eta coefficient were used. Significance level in this study was set at P ≤0.05. Statistical calculations were performed using SPSS statistical software (version 22 . Discussion and conclusion: The obtained results revealed a direct significant relationship between the mothers' self-efficacy and health-promoting behaviors in their daughters. On the other hand, female adolescents sometimes perform health-promoting behaviors, and self-efficacy was recognized as the most important construct in performing health-promoting behaviors. Considering the importance of health-promoting lifestyle in people's lives and the effect of self-efficacy and living conditions on these behaviors, proposing solutions to improve people's lifestyle and health behaviors seems necessary. Therefore, considering the importance of this socio-psychological dimension, policy makers are recommonded to try to promote self-efficacy by increasing cultural programs in health system planning and raising public awareness. In this research, the students show a desirable level of health-promoting behaviors, however, it is suggested that the students' health-related behaviors be periodically investigated and monitored, and group training sessions, conferences, and virtual training programs be used to teach health-related behaviors if needed. It is also suggested that mothers with lower self-efficacy be identified and their self-efficacy be enhanced through counseling programs and attending psychological clinics.