Development of a stress management behaviour model based on HAPA for Japanese high school students

The purpose of this study was to develop a stress management behaviour model based on Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) that can be used to predict stress management behaviour of Japanese high school students. The subjects are 314 Japanese high school students who were asked to answer a questionnaire, which was composed of socio-demographic and stress management behaviour question items based on HAPA. Exploratory factor analyses, reliability analyses and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted in order to develop Self-efficacy Scale, Outcome Expectancy Scale, Risk Perception Scale, Intention Scale, Planning Scale and Stress Management Behaviour Scale. Covariance structure analyses were performed to confirm the acceptability of the stress management behaviour model based on HAPA. The results of the analyses showed that each of the six scales had one or two factor structure with acceptable structural validities and reliabilities and that the stress management behaviour model yielded acceptable fit indices. It is also found that the pass coefficients from Risk Perception and Outcome Expectancy were positively associated with Stress Management Behaviour via Intention and Planning and that Self-efficacy was directly associated with Planning and Stress Management Behaviour. The results above indicate that the stress management behaviour model can be useful in predicting the stress management behaviour of Japanese high school students, also implying that stress management intervention programs with a focus on awareness of stress related risks, understanding of the benefits of stress management and enhancement of confidence in coping with stress can be effective in promoting their stress management behaviour.