What is personal health responsibility?

Purpose: This case study examined the meaning of personal health responsibility from the perspective of the individual.

Method: A single Black female, 20 years of age, was interviewed for the study. Content analysis was used for data evaluation.

Findings: The meaning of personal health responsibility grouped into four categories: listing of tasks, obligating to tasks, following through with tasks, and maintaining resources. Tasks are behaviors performed to care for oneself. Obligating to tasks is the attitude towards carrying out behaviors. Following through is the actual completion of a task. Maintaining resources is the support needed to care for oneself.

Implications: The individual's definition of personal health responsibility should be considered when making healthcare decisions and designing treatment plans. Future research should examine the meaning of personal health responsibility among diverse populations and explore factors that serve as facilitators and barriers to personal health responsibility.