Self-perceived health among adolescents: the role of gender and psychosocial factors.

Full Abstract

Since adolescents' psychosocial health problems may have major implications for adult morbidity and mortality, investigating their self-perceived health deserves priority. In the lack of limiting illness, psychosocial health variables, e.g., psychosomatic health complaints or health behaviors, play a decisive role in determining adolescents' self-perceived health. Using data on adolescents from Szeged, Hungary (n = 1,114), we examined the relationship between adolescents' self-perceived health and a set of psychosocial health status measurements. Findings show that psychosomatic and depressive symptoms contributed significantly to adolescents' poor/fair perceptions of health. Findings also support the relationship between health behaviors and adolescents' self-perceived health. Among boys, drug use and the lack of physical activity are significant predictors. Among girls, smoking may act in a similar way. Diet control is significant in both cases. Besides academic achievement, SES self-assessment and non-intact family status are strong contributes to health perception. Overall, findings show that psychosocial health variables are important influences on adolescents' self-perceived health.

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Author information

Author/s: Piko, Bettina F (BF);

Affiliation: Division of Behavioral Sciences, Department of Psychiatry, University of Szeged, Szentharomsag str. 5, 6722 Szeged, Hungary. pikobettina@yahoo.com

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: European journal of pediatrics (Eur J Pediatr), published in Germany. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Jul; vol 166 (issue 7) : pp 701-8

Dates: Created 2007/05/22; Completed 2007/10/25;

PMID: 17120041, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Depression - psychology
Diet
Educational Status
Family Relations
Female
Health Behavior
Health Status
Humans
Hungary

Hungary
Male
Motor Activity
Physical Fitness
Psychophysiologic Disorders - psychology
Questionnaires
Self Assessment (Psychology)
Sex Factors
Smoking - psychology
Substance-Related Disorders - psychology

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