Factors influencing health promoting behaviors among Myanmar migrants working in Bangkok, Thailand

This correlational study aimed to 1) describe health promoting behaviors among Myanmar migrants and 2) examine direct and indirect paths of relationships among acculturation, perceived stress, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, perceived self-efficacy, perceived social support and health promoting behaviors of Myanmar migrants in Thailand. The hypothesized model was constructed based on Pender’s revised Health Promotion Model and the literature reviewed. A multistage random sampling approach was utilized to recruit 400 Myanmar migrants. They were recruited if they aged of 30 to 50 years old, are registered Myanmar migrants, have been working in factories, are living in Thailand for at least one year, can read and write Myanmar language and are willing to participate in this study. Research measurements consisted of the demographic data form, the East Asian Acculturation Measure (EAAM), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Benefit Assessment Scale (BES), Barrier Assessment Scale (BAS), Self Rated Abilities for Health Practices Scale (SRAHP), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and Health Promoting Behaviors Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II). Data were collected from August to September 2023. The data were analyzed using SPSS and Amos program. The study findings revealed that 1) the average mean of health promoting behaviors was moderate at 2.96 (SD=0.56) and 2) the hypothesized model fit with the empirical data and could explain 63.9 % of the total variance in health promoting behaviors (Chi-square=289.622, df=118, p=0.000, CMIN/df=2.454, GFI=0.925, AGFI=0.891, NFI=0.917, CFI=0.948 and RMSEA=0.060. Acculturation had a non-significant direct effect on health promoting behaviors (b=-0.427, p>0.05) and non-significant indirect effects on it through perceived benefits (b=-0.079, p>0.05), perceived barriers (b=-0.008, p>0.05), perceived self-efficacy (b=-0.550, p>0.05) and perceived social support (b=-0.829, p>0.05). Perceived stress had a non-significant direct effect on health promoting behaviors (b=-0.184, p>0.05). However, perceived stress had a significant indirect effect on it through perceived benefits (b=0.042, p