Does stress management behaviour model based on HAPA predict Japanese high school students’ stress response?

Abstract

The aims of this study were to examine a stress management behavior model and to investigate the relationship between stress management behaviour and stress response of Japanese high school students. The subjects of 314 Japanese high school students were asked to answer a questionnaire composed of socio-demographic questions and stress management behaviour and stress response questions based on Health Action Process Approach (HAPA). Confirmatory factor analyses and reliability analyses were conducted in order to confirm the fit indices of 8 scales: Self-efficacy, Outcome Expectancy(Pros & Cons), Risk Perception, Intention, Planning, Stress Management Behaviour and Stress Response. Covariance structure analyses were performed to confirm the acceptability of the stress management behaviour model. The results of the analyses showed that each of the eight scales had a one- to five-factor structure with acceptable structural validities and reliabilities and that the stress management behaviour model yielded acceptable fit indices. It is also found that Risk Perception and Outcome Expectancy(Pros) were positively associated with Stress Management Behaviour via Intention and Planning while Self-efficacy had direct positive association with Planning and Stress Management Behaviour. Outcome Expectancy, both Pros and Cons, and Risk Perception were found to have negative association with Stress Response via Intention, Planning, Stress Management Behavior. The results above indicate that the stress management behaviour model can be useful in predicting the stress response of Japanese high school students and imply that understanding effect from stress, good or bad, can prepare their mind and alter their behaviour to better cope with stress.