Paper Presentation accepted at the International Society of Quality of Life Research Conference in Prague, Czech Republic November 12th-15th, 2003

This paper featuring our analysis of the interconnections between wellness, health lifestyles, and Network Spinal Analysis is jointly authored by Tonya Schuster, Ph.D., Marnie Dobson, Ph.D.(candidate), Maritza Jauregui, Ph.D., and Robert Blanks, Ph.D. It will be presented at the ISOQOL conference in Prague by Marnie Dobson.

ISOQOL Conference (Abstract 1844)

WELLNESS LIFESTYLES

This research represents an empirical application of a theoretical framework linking use of Network Spinal Analysis (a wellness-oriented form of complementary and alternative medicine, health lifestyle practices, and self-reported health and wellness. We surveyed 2596 patients from 156 offices of doctors who were members of the Association for Network Care; estimated response rate = 69%. Expanding on the concept of quality of life, we developed a wellness construct consisting of calculated difference scores between two referents, “presently” and “before Network” care, for self-reported items representing wellness domains of physical state, mental-emotional state, stress evaluation, and life enjoyment. Positive reported change in nine items assembled into dietary practices, health practices, and health risk dimensions serve as indicators of the construct of changes in health lifestyle practices. The NSA care construct consisted of duration of care in months, awareness of energy and awareness of breathing since beginning Network care. Exogenous variables entered into a structural equation model include gender, age, education, income, marital status, ailments, life change, and trauma. Results demonstrated reported wellness benefits accrue to individuals along a direct path from both self-reported positive lifestyle change (.22), and from NSA care (.43). The path (.65) from NSA care to positive health lifestyle changes indicates that NSA care also has an indirect effect on wellness through changes in health lifestyle practices. Only gender, age, and education remained in the final structural equation model. The Structural Equation model tested in these analyses lends support to a theoretical framework linking wellness, health lifestyles, and CAM. This study shows that our measurements of health and wellness are particularly appropriate for investigating wellness-oriented CAM. NSA care users do tend towards the practice of a positive health lifestyle, which also has a direct effect on reported improvements in wellness. These empirical links are discussed relative to the sociodemographic characteristics of this population and show that use of NSA care is an aspect of a wellness lifestyle.