Relationships Between Health-Promoting Behaviors, Occupational Stressors, and Health Locus of Control: A Latent Profile Analysis in Nursing

<b>Abstract</b>

<b>Background:</b> Nurses' health-promoting behaviors are vital
for maintaining their well-being and ensuring professional performance. These
behaviors mitigate occupational stressors, but high stress levels may also
hinder their adoption. Psychological health locus of control plays a crucial
role in shaping health behaviors. Understanding the latent profiles of nurses'
health-promoting behaviors and their relationship with occupational stressors
and psychological control provides critical insights for targeted interventions.

<b>Methods:</b> A cross-sectional study was conducted with 820
registered nurses in China. Latent profile analysis was employed to classify
nurses' health-promoting behaviors. Univariate analysis and multiple logistic
regression were performed to identify predictors of profile membership.
Stepwise linear regression was utilized to examine factors associated with
occupational stressors.

<b>Results:</b> LPA identified three distinct profiles:
Positive Profiles (20.2%), Mediocre Profiles (50%), and Negative Profiles
(29.8%). Nurses in the Positive Profiles exhibited higher engagement in
health-promoting behaviors and significantly lower occupational stressors (P
&lt; 0.01). Logistic regression revealed that psychological health locus of
control (OR = 1.036, P &lt; 0.01) and lower stressors levels (OR
= 0.946, P &lt; 0.01) predicted positive health-promoting behaviors.
Stepwise regression showed health-promoting behaviors profiles were negatively
associated with occupational stressors (β = -3.316, P &lt; 0.01).

<b>Conclusions:</b> Chinese nurses exhibit varied levels of
health-promoting behaviors, influenced by psychological and occupational
factors. Healthcare institutions should implement targeted interventions
considering nurses' profile characteristics, work patterns, and psychological
attributes. Such evidence-based approaches can effectively enhance nurses'
well-being and reduce occupational stressors within the Chinese healthcare
system.