From the cross-lagged path diagram, it can be seen that the autoregressive coefficients for negative emotions and health-promoting behaviors at the two measurement time points were stable and highly significant, with β = 0.43 ( P < 0.001) and β = 0.36 ( P < 0.001), respectively.
The overall health behavior (Δ = −1.31) decreased significantly, with noteworthy decreases in the dimensions of self-actualization (Δ = −0.98), interpersonal relations (−0.97), and stress management (−0.09) and an increasing trend in the dimensions of nutrition (Δ = 0.03) and health responsibility (Δ = 0.72). 3.4 The relationship between negative emotions and health behavior After establishing a significant correlation between negative emotions and health behaviors, this study used a cross-lagged model to analyze the data from two assessments within a year, examining if there is a bidirectional effect between negative emotions and health-promoting behaviors.