The Revised Health Hardiness Inventory (RHHI-24): psychometric properties and relationship with self-reported health and health behavior in two Dutch samples

Our objective was to examine the psychometric properties of a Dutch translation of the Health Hardiness Inventory (HHI), and to determine relationships between health hardiness scales and self-reported health and preventive health behavior. Data from a cross-sectional study with two samples [a general population sample (n = 205) and a student sample (n = 286)] were analyzed. The Revised Health Hardiness Inventory (RHHI-24) was found to consist of four stable and reliable scales: (1) Health Value, (2) Internal Health Locus of Control, (3) External Health Locus of Control and (4) Perceived Health Competence. Women valued their health more than men, older individuals (> 45 years) valued their health more than younger individuals (< or = 45 years) and elderly people (> 65 years) were more externally orientated with respect to health locus of control. Preventive health behavior was related to a higher value placed on health, a lower external health locus of control and a higher perceived health competence. Better self-reported health was related to a higher perceived health competence and a more internally orientated health locus of control. We conclude that the RHHI-24 is a theoretically sound instrument for the measurement of health cognitions.