Date of Submission

2004

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

Department Chair

Robert A. DiTomasso, Ph.D., ABPP

First Advisor

Robert A. DiTomasso, Ph.D., ABPP, Chairperson

Second Advisor

Barbara A. Golden, Psy.D., ABPP

Third Advisor

Anne M. Markham, Psy.D.

Abstract

Evaluation of the Health Adherence Behavior Inventory (HABIT) is described with data pertaining to reliability and validity. The instrument was originally developed for use in a primary healthcare setting, to support the early identification of patients who are at risk for poor health outcomes and complications of chronic disease because of non-adherence to their healthcare provider’s instructions. The items were refined from the original HABIT (DiTomasso, 1997) and drawn from various sources, including health risk assessments, health screening questionnaires, and nationally accepted standards for disease treatment and prevention. The questionnaire consists of 50 items, 39 of which appear to load on one factor. Items were analyzed, revealing two clusters, which yielded one Main Factor (Prevention Factor). This factor represents positive health behaviors that have demonstrated a correlation with reduced risk for negative health outcomes. These behaviors address one domain of the multifaceted problem referred to as non-adherence. With respect to construct validity, the questionnaire correlated significantly with the widely used and reliable Health Risk Assessment developed by Lifestyle Directions, Inc. The strong correlation with an established Health Risk Assessment suggests promise for further refinement of the scale, offering a briefer alternative to full risk assessment. Through additional research, it is anticipated that a more comprehensive set of questions may uncover other key domains that offer valuable insight into the prevention and the treatment of non-adherence.

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