 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Pamela A. Kulbok, RN, DNSc, School of Nursing, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 800782, Charlottesville, VA 22908, 434-924-0128, pk6c@virginia.edu and Cheryl L. Cox, RN, PhD, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 332 N. Lauderdale St., Memphis, TN 38105.
This study determined which demographic, health, knowledge, and social factors predict different health behaviors in young adolescents. A re-examination of the 1992 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)/Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) was completed using a variety of multivariate techniques. The study sample (N=1825) of 12 and 13 year old youths was 50% female, 65% White, 17% African American, and 18% Hispanic. The health behaviors were substance use (cigarette smoking and marijuana), alcohol use, and exercise. The independent variables included social (education, income, family relationships, and urban/rural residence), health (perceived health status and perceived weight), and knowledge-related variables (risk of harm from drugs and AIDS). The resource model of health behavior was the guiding framework. Dependent behavior measures were derived from secondary analysis (1992 NHIS-YRBS) of health risk behaviors in youth ages12 to 21 years. Multivariate analyses were used to test whether different health and social factors predict different behaviors. The major determinant of substance and alcohol use was age of onset of behavior. Interaction effects indicated different patterns of determinants for use of substances in White, African American and Hispanic youths. Distinct profiles of determinants were identified for young adolescents for substance use and alcohol use behaviors. This empirical base affirms the need for targeted age specific and gender specific interventions. There is an "interval of opportunity" from initiation to formation of risky lifestyles. Focused interventions can be developed and tested to modify adolescent health risk behaviors.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Adolescents, Health Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.