This multi-stage study analyzed the changing health beliefs about osteoporosis related to the various stages of a woman's life. A sample size of 50 women was collected at 6 stages: early adolescence (T1) and middle adulthood (T6). Results showed health beliefs supported a gradually and non-linearly positive trend over the years.
The average total score of health beliefs increased from T1 (M = 58.4) to T2 (M = 64.7) with a large positive increase to be seen in T3 and T4 (M = 78.9 and M = 92.3 respectively). The T5 score (M = 108.6) showed an even larger positive increase and the T6 score (M = 112.4) remained about the same.
The health beliefs component perceived self-efficacy provided an increased positive trend, perceived barriers showed a decrease, and perceived susceptibility showed positive growth. perceived severity and perceived benefits of preventive behavior were positive and both internal/external cues to action showed positive trends, with positive growth internal cues dominating.
It can be overall concluded that the output of the study shows womens cognitive and behavioral development health beliefs related to osteoporosis and their stages of life to be positive and progressive.