Table 3.

Association between Scale Calibration and Construct Validity Indicators

Variable Answer Category (n)	Mean Score on Measure	F; df	P
General Preventive Behaviors
Follow a low-fat diet: Always or almost always (798)	61.1	72.8; 1,1512	.001
Sometimes or never (716)	56.2
Follow regular exercise schedule: Yes (884)	61.3	116.3; 1,1511	.001
No (629)	55.2
Five servings of fruits or vegetables per day		68.1; 1,1512	.001
At least four days per week (755)	61.2
Three days per week or less (759)	56.4
Smoke tobacco: Yes (262)	56.3	15.1; 1,1512	.001
No (1,252)	59.3
Disease-Specific Behaviors
Diabetes
Use glucose journal: Always or almost always (110)	57.7	4.9; 1,157	.05
Sometimes or never (49)	53.8
Arthritis
Arthritis exercise: Always or almost always (254)	60.6	60.2; 1,571	.001
Sometimes or never (319)	53.9
High Cholesterol
Follow a low-fat diet: Always or almost always (256)	60.4	37.6; 1,456	.001
Sometimes or never (202)	54.2
Consumeristic Behaviors
Before I go to a new health care provider, I find out as much as I can about his or her qualifications.		182.2; 2,1416	.001
Disagree or strongly disagree (232)	54.0
Agree (880)	56.5
Strongly agree (307)	68.2
When I do not understand, I am persistent in asking my health care provider to explain something until I understand it.		322.9; 2,1491	.001
Disagree or strongly disagree (79)	50.4
Agree (992)	55.3
Strongly agree (423)	68.5
As far as I know medical science has developed guidelines for treating my condition.*		150.4; 2,175	.001
Disagree or strongly disagree (54)	48.4
Agree (572)	55.3
Strongly agree (102)	69.7
Health Fatalism
In the next 5 years how likely do you think it is that you will develop a new or additional health condition that requires ongoing medical care?		81.3; 1,1431	.001
Very likely or likely (526)	55.6
Unlikely or very unlikely (907)	61.1

^*Asked only of respondents with a condition for which there are guidelines.