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Journal of Public Health

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01-04-2018 | Original Article

The use of routine health check-ups and psychological factors—a neglected link. Evidence from a population-based study

Authors: André Hajek, Jens-Oliver Bock, Hans-Helmut König

Published in: Journal of Public Health | Issue 2/2018

Abstract

Aim

It is well known that the use of routine health check-ups is associated with socio-demographic and lifestyle factors. However, the link between psychological factors and the use of routine health check-ups has not been investigated intensively so far. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to determine the psychological factors associated with routine health check-ups.

Subjects and methods

Cross-sectional data were obtained from a population-based study (German Aging Survey) of individuals ≥40 years of age and residing in private households in Germany in the year 2014 (n = 7708). Screening data and data on psychological factors were collected in self-administered questionnaires. Multiple logistic regressions were used to identify psychological correlates of screening behavior, adjusted for socio-demographic, lifestyle and health-related variables.

Results

Of the participants, 65.4% used routine health check-ups regularly. After adjusting for various potential confounders, multiple logistic regressions showed that the use of routine health check-ups was positively associated with life satisfaction, positive affect, optimism, self-efficacy, self-esteem and self-regulation, whereas the outcome measure was not significantly associated with loneliness, negative affect and perceived stress. Furthermore, the outcome measure was positively associated with age, being married and living together with a spouse or partner, body mass index, being a non-daily smoker, drinking alcohol less than once a day and exercising. However, it was not associated with gender, income, number of physical illnesses or region.

Conclusions

The current study stresses the importance of the association between screening behavior and psychological factors. This may help to identify individuals at risk for underuse.

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Title: The use of routine health check-ups and psychological factors—a neglected link. Evidence from a population-based study
Authors: André Hajek
Jens-Oliver Bock
Hans-Helmut König
Publication date: 01-04-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Journal of Public Health / Issue 2/2018
Print ISSN: 2198-1833
Electronic ISSN: 1613-2238
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-017-0840-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

The use of routine health check-ups and psychological factors—a neglected link. Evidence from a population-based study

Abstract

Aim

Subjects and methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Aim

Subjects and methods

Results

Conclusions

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