GENDER AS MODERATOR BETWEEN HEALTH BEHAVIOUR ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND PSYCHOLOGICAL STATUS AMONG POLICE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55197/qjmhs.v4i4.165Keywords:
health behaviour, physical activity status, psychological status, police personnelAbstract
This study examined the moderating effects of gender and the association between health behaviour (HB), physical activity status (PAS), and psychological status (PS) among police personnel (PP) in Ondo State, Nigeria. The research employed a correlational design. The study employed four instruments: the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Health Behaviour Questionnaire, the Standardised DASS-21 scale and a self-developed questionnaire for demographic variables. The Cronbach's alpha range was .90 to .932. A proportionate stratified sampling technique was employed to obtain a sample size of 400 police personnel from 20 police divisions in Ondo State, Nigeria. Descriptive statistics (SPSS 22) and Structural Equation Modelling (SmartPLS 4) were employed for data analysis. The final coefficient ranges from 0.95 to 0.96. Two straight pathways have a HB and PAS (β=0.468, p<0.001); and HB and PS (β=0.396, p<0.001). significant impact on the relationships outlined in the study. The moderating effect of gender was not significant in the association between HB and PAS (β=0.117, t=0.890, p>0.05), as well as HB and PS (β=0.14, t=0.887, p>0.05). The study offered new avenues for investigating physical activity status and psychological health, particularly within the police population. Health behaviour positively predicted PAS and PS. This study suggests that achieving total quality of life requires integrating health behaviour orientations into the training programmes of the Nigeria Police Force.
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