Reliability and Validity of the Health Enhancement Lifestyle Profile (HELP)

Abstract

The Health Enhancement Lifestyle Profile (HELP) is a self-report measure for examining various aspects of health-related lifestyle in older adults through seven scales (Exercise; Diet; Work, Education, and Social Participation; Leisure; Activities of Daily Living; Psychological Wellness and Spiritual Participation; and Other Health Promotion and Risk Behaviors). The current study examined the reliability and validity of the HELP scales through classic test theory. The resultant alpha coefficients ranged from .75 to .92 among the scales, indicating acceptable to good internal consistency reliability. Construct validity was also supported by the interrelationships found among the HELP scales and the statistically significant correlations shown between HELP results and global health status (i.e., number of chronic conditions, self-related health). HELP scales can help occupational therapists identify and monitor health promotion occupations and risk behaviors and measure the outcome of services aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles in older adults.

A Review and Case Exemplifications of Health Enhancement Lifestyle Profile (HELP) and Its Screener (HELP–Screener) for Older Adults

“…Construct validity was supported by the interrelationships found among the seven HELP scales and by the statistically significant correlations shown between the HELP results and global health status, including the self-related health and the number of chronic conditions; namely, the higher the HELP scores, the better the self-rated health and the lower the number of chronic conditions (Hwang, 2010b). Another study was conducted to determine convergent validity of the HELP (Hwang, 2010c).…”

“…It The normative descriptors (i.e., very unhealthy, unhealthy, average, healthy, very healthy) for each of the seven HELP scales have been established using data (e.g., means, standard deviations) derived from multiple studies (Hwang, 2010a(Hwang, , 2010b(Hwang, , 2010cPeralta-Catipon & Hwang, 2011 (Hwang, 2010a). In particular, these sources rendered the structure of the multiple HELP scales that encompass the breadth of health-related lifestyle behaviors.…”

“…The preliminary content validity of the HELP was supported through two pilot testing procedures involving convenience samples of community-dwelling older adults: focus group and field pretesting (Hwang, 2010a) Classic test theory was also used to examine validity and reliability of the HELP (Hwang, 2010b(Hwang, , 2010c. Construct validity was supported by the interrelationships found among the seven HELP scales and by the statistically significant correlations shown between the HELP results and global health status, including the self-related health and the number of chronic conditions; namely, the higher the HELP scores, the better the self-rated health and the lower the number of chronic conditions (Hwang, 2010b).…”

“…Margaret , Screener (Hwang, 2012a(Hwang, , 2012bHwang, 2013) and the 56-item HELP (Hwang, 2010b(Hwang, , 2010c(Hwang, , 2012c were recently developed to fill the gap in lifestyle …”

“…Although abundant studies (e.g., the Well Elderly (Hwang 2010a(Hwang , 2010b(Hwang , 2010c and its screening version, the HELP-Screener (Hwang, 2012a(Hwang, , 2012b(Hwang, , 2013. These are a set of self-report instruments designed for screening and monitoring health-related lifestyle factors and establishing the intervention plan and goals that aim to promote healthy lifestyles with aging.…”