Patterns of health-related behaviours among Hellenic students
Part of : Hellenic journal of psychology ; Vol.2, No.3, 2005, pages 225-242
Issue:
Pages:
225-242
Abstract:
In recent years health promotion is a matter of great interest among researchers inthe field of social sciences. The aim of the present study was to identify patterns of healthrelatedbehaviours in relation to various demographic and psychosocial variables.Participants were 3307 Hellenic students aged 10 to 16 years. The behaviours that wereexamined were exercising, fruit consumption, smoking, and violence. Cluster analysisidentified four distinct profiles. One profile included students, who exercise regularly and,also, consume fruit, avoid smoking, and violence. A second profile included students, who donot exercise, and, also, avoid smoking, violence, and fruit consumption. A third one includedstudents, who take part in violent incidents, but exercise and, also, consume fruits and avoidsmoking. Finally, a fourth profile included students, who smoke and participate in violentincidents and, also, avoid exercise and consuming fruits. Overall, gender and grade seemedto better explain the presence or absence of healthy behaviours (exercise and diet), whereasfamily structure, perceptions of family support and family and peer behaviour seemed tobetter explain the presence or absence of unhealthy behaviours (smoking and violentbehaviour). The results of the present study indicate that health promotion programs shouldtake into serious consideration both personal and social characteristics of the targetedpopulation.
Subject (LC):
Keywords:
health behaviours, health profile, students
Notes:
Περιέχει πίνακες, διαγράμματα και βιβλιογραφία
