Do adolescents' own intentions regarding healthy behaviours affect outcome? A two-year prospective study

Abstract

Adolescents' own intentions regarding health behaviours, in addition to their context, are believed to be important for the health habits they chose. This was studied prospectively over a 2-y period. A total of 552 students, 391 aged 13 y and 161 aged 15 y, reported their health and problem behaviours, socioeconomic background and intentions regarding health behaviours through questionnaires in 1991 and in 1993. Outcome dealt with three domains: health habits; acquisition of adult lifestyles; and problem behaviours. The material was analysed for correlations. Significant results were entered into multiple regression stepwise procedures. As expected, already having initiated adult lifestyles or problem behaviours were the most important factors associated with such behaviours 2 y later. Further analyses were then limited to those students who had not started such lifestyles, in order to determine what factors kept them from doing so in a 2-y span. Key predictors for healthy behaviours were adolescents' own decisions not to engage in adult lifestyles or risky behaviours, family processes consistent with support and school satisfaction. Association with peer groups where smoking and drinking were commonplace predicted less optimal behaviours. Gender or socioeconomic factors were not predictive. The results support a comprehensive approach to health promotion during adolescence.

Health and health behaviours among Swedish adolescents during a period of social change

“…A prospective study showed that lack of a sense of wellness can predict problem behaviour and poor health practices the following year, especially in lower socioeconomic classes (11). A prospective study with the Q90 questionnaire showed that the key predictors for healthy behaviours were adolescents' own decisions not to engage in adult lifestyles or risky behaviours, consistent family processes and school satisfaction (12). Adolescents' own decisions and their impact on health and behaviours are important factors that contradict our hypotheses.…”

Behaviour evaluation for risk-taking adolescents (BERTA): an easy to use and assess instrument to detect adolescent risky behaviours in a clinical setting

“…Duberstein-Lindberg et al [9] indicated that those adolescents reporting a good connection with their school were less likely to take compromising behaviours. In fact, satisfaction with school is one of the key predictors of healthy behaviour [5,32].…”

Gender differences in early adolescence in factors related to outcome of healthy behaviours two years later

“…The methods have been outlined in previous papers (1,6). The Q90 questionnaire (described below) was used.…”

“…Predicting factors or independent variables at T1 were graded on ordinate or nominal scales. Codes are fully described in Berg-Kelly and Kullander (1) and in examples as follows:…”

“…In a previous paper we investigated hypotheses derived from theories on resilience and contextual interaction regarding behaviour with impact on health during adolescence (1). Our hypothesis was that adolescents make decisions regarding their own behaviours, which are powerful in predicting outcome.…”