Analysis For Current Situation In Adolescent Health Behaviors And Corresponding Social Psychological Factors

ObjectivesThis is a study to explore health behaviors among adolescents in Yili District,Xinjiang,with the purpose of attaining a better understanding of these behaviors.The adolescent health behaviors discussed in this study includes health-prompting behaviors and health-compromising behaviors.The study analyses social and psychological factors which might impact adolescent's health-related behavior,including self-esteem,multidimensional health locus of control,family functioning,parental rearing patterns and peer relationship It is intended to provide references for mental health educators for adolescents and to enrich the studies in the field of adolescent health behaviors of adolescent in minority ethnic region.MethodsThe study is targeting adolescent in school in Yili District and a questionnaire package is assembled in collecting the data,including Adolescent Health Promotion Scale,Adolescent Health-Related Risky Behavior Inventory(AHRBI),Self-Esteem Scale(SES),Multidimensional Health Locus Of Control Scales,General Self-Efficacy Scale(GSES),Family Assessment Device,Egna Minnenav Barndoms Uppfostran(EMBU),and Middle School Students' Peer Relationship Scales.After questionnaires were performed on adolescents in 7schools in Yili District,Xinjiang,a total of 946 valid copies were collected.Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics,T test,F test,correlation analysis,linear regression analysis,and were tested by Mediating Effect.Results1).Health-compromising behaviors are universally seen among adolescent at school in Yili District,Xinjiang.2).The health-related behaviors differ considerately in gender,age,which grade students are staying in,and their ethnic groups.3).The relationship between health-prompting behaviors and psychological factors.Health-prompting behaviors are correlated with self-esteem,health locus of control and self-efficacy,the latter having predictive effect on health-prompting behaviors.4).The relationship between health-prompting behaviors and social factors.Health-prompting behaviors are correlated with family functioning,parental rearing,and peer relationships.The total average of mother's affection and peer relationships,the total average of intimacy and father's rearing methods,as well asaffective interaction predict health-prompting behaviors.5).The relationship between health-compromising behaviors and psychological factors.Health-compromising behaviors are correlated with the internal control dimension and health authority control dimension(included in the locus of control),and self-esteem.Self-esteem,internal control dimension,health authority control and health opportunity control can predict health-compromising behaviors,but the interpretation rate is limited.6).the relationship between health-compromising behaviors and social factors.Health-compromising behaviors are correlated with the various dimensions in family functioning,parental rearing,parental affection,excessive parental protection,parental rejection and pioneer relationships.Emotional communications,father's rejection,social anxiety,intimacy and peer relationships can predict health-compromising behaviors.7).Tests from the Intermediary Effect shows that peer relationships and self-esteem act as an intermediary agent between family functioning and health-promoting behavior among adolescents.Father's rearing acts as an intermediary agent between family functioning and health-promoting behavior among adolescents.ConclusionHealth-compromising behavior exist ubiquitously among adolescents in Yili District,Xinjiang.Health-related behavior are correlated with social psychological factors and the latter can be applied to predict the former.