Korean adolescents' health risk behaviors and their relationships with theselected psychological constructs

Authors
Citation
Yh. Kim, Korean adolescents' health risk behaviors and their relationships with theselected psychological constructs, J ADOLES H, 29(4), 2001, pp. 298-306
Citations number
31
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Public Health & Health Care Science",Pediatrics
Journal title
JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH
ISSN journal
1054-139X → ACNP
Volume
29
Issue
4
Year of publication
2001
Pages
298 - 306
Database
ISI
SICI code
1054-139X(200110)29:4<298:KAHRBA>2.0.ZU;2-Q
Abstract
Purpose: To explore the negative health behaviors of Korean adolescents, re veal factors affecting their negative health behavior, and present a substa ntial correlation model between the negative health behaviors and psycholog ical factors. Methods: A total of 2124 adolescents randomly selected from junior high and high schools in Seoul were surveyed. Four Korean-version instruments were used to identify the negative health behavior and psychological construct o f adolescents: Adolescent Health Survey, Health Locus of Control scale, Sel f-Esteem scale, and Self-Efficacy scale. Results: Korean adolescents showed high prevalence of smoking, drinking alc ohol, bad eating habits, and viewing pornography; and very low prevalence, however, of sexual intercourse and illegal drug use. In addition to this, t he findings revealed that the subdomains in adolescents' negative health be havior were statistically correlated with the subdimensions of a psychologi cal factor. A correlation model was an adequate fit to identify a possible relationship between the negative health behaviors and the psychological fa ctors. Conclusions: This study provides significant and new information about the relatively unstudied Korean adolescents and has the potential to influence the development of better health education and health psychology. (C) Socie ty for Adolescent Medicine, 2001.