Objective

To present a robust statistical model that considers some psychological factors as predictors of healthy lifestyle.

Materials and Methods

A battery composed of validated instruments was applied to evaluate beliefs, healthy practices, coping styles, positive mental health and perceived self-efficacy in a sample of 570 university students from Bogotá, Colombia. Based on the information obtained, descriptive, variance and correlation analyzes were developed, as well as a structural equations model.

Results

High scores were obtained in the categories 'optimal psychological factors', 'beliefs and healthy practices', except for the 'physical activity practice' and 'less adaptive coping factors' categories. Likewise, significant differences were found in most of the variables measured, as well as important correlations between adaptive psychological factors and healthy practices and beliefs. Finally, the structural equations model that showed the greatest adjustment predicts by 89% the variance of positive mental health based on the interaction between the variables 'coping directed to the problem', 'general satisfaction', 'pro social attitude', 'social skills' and 'self-efficacy'. In turn, the presence of positive mental health, when interacting with healthy beliefs, predicts the occurrence of healthy lifestyles by 63%.

Conclusion

Even when the model is not conclusive, it can provide empirical support to possible health interventions to be implemented in higher education institutions, based on the strengthening of psychological predictive factors.