A structural model for the practice of life safety behavior in school-age children

Abstract

Purpose: This study is an examination of the paths in which the primary factors of anxiety, impulsiveness, knowledge of life safety practice, attitudes towards life safety practice, interpersonal support, and self-efficacy from Pender's Health Promotion Model influence the practice of life safety behavior in school-age children. Methods: The sample consisted of 489 5th and 6th grade students recruited from five elementary schools in Seoul City and four provinces, South Korea. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlations, factor analysis, and structural equation modeling. Results: Attitudes towards life safety practice, interpersonal support, self-efficacy and impulsiveness directly influenced practice of life safety behavior. Anxiety did not have a direct influence on practice of life safety behavior, but indirectly affected it. In this modified model, 52.0% of the practice of life safety behavior was explained by the primary factors. Conclusion: To facilitate the practice life safety behaviors in late childhood, a positive attitude towards life safety needs to be developed along with decreasing impulsiveness and enhancing self-efficacy. © 2014 Korean Society of Nursing Science.