Personality Factors, Cognitive Distortions, Core Self Evaluation and Health Seeking Behaviour Among Residents of Makurdi Metropolis

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue IX, September 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

Personality Factors, Cognitive Distortions, Core Self Evaluation and Health Seeking Behaviour Among Residents of Makurdi Metropolis

Rimande Ubandoma Joel¹, MBBS Dzer Benjamin Terzungwe², PhD Tomen Egbe Agu³, PhD
¹,³Department of Public Health, Taraba State University, Jalingo
²Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi
Corresponding

Abstract: This study investigated personality factors, cognitive distortion, core self-evaluation and health seeking behavior amongst residents of Makurdi metropolis. 138 (45.2%) were male while 167(54.8%) were female. Their ages range from 16-60years. The study employed the survey research design. The Big five inventory, the cognitive distortion questionnaire, core self-evaluation and health protective behavior scale were used for data collection; statistical analysis involved the use of multiple linear regression, simple linear regression and hierarchical multiple regression. Findings indicated that personality factors jointly predicted health seeking behavior among residents of Makurdi metropolis whereas on independent basis, only consciousness and extraversion proved to be significant. Also, cognitive distortions, did not predict health seeking behavior. Core self-evaluation jointly predicted health seeking behavior whereas independently, non-accept, impulse, strategies and clarity predicted health seeking behavior. Finally, personality factors, cognitive distortions and core self-evaluation jointly predicted health seeking behavior. It was recommended that, personality factors of individuals be taken into consideration as it is found to be a significant predictor of health seeking behavior in this study. Finally significant others are encouraged to teach their relations on core self-evaluation as it is found to be a significant predictor of health seeking behavior as reported in this study.

Keywords: Health Seeking Behavior, Personality Factors, Cognitive Distortions, Core-Self Evaluation, Residents in Makurdi Metropolis

I. INTRODUCTION

Health seeking behaviors are often not bad when it brings about wellness, but when it contributes to illness state of person then problem sets in. Health seeking behavior (HSB) has been defined as, “any action or inaction undertaken by individuals who perceive themselves to have a health problem or to be ill for the purpose of finding an appropriate remedy” (Steen and Mazonde, 1999). Health seeking behavior can also be referred to as illness behavior or sick-term behavior. Health seeking behavior is situated within the broader concept of health behavior, which encompasses activities undertaken to maintain good health, to prevent ill health, as well as dealing with any departure from a good state of health. Furthermore, health or care seeking behavior has been defined as any action undertaken by individuals who perceive them to have a health problem or to be ill for the purpose of finding an appropriate

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