Autonomy, Relatedness, and the Initiation of Health Risk Behaviors in Early Adolescence

This study examined the relationships among sociodemographic characteristics, family processes, and the initiation of health risk behaviors in early adolescence. Subjects were 189 6th and 7th graders from a public middle school. A path-analytic model was used to analyze data. Results showed that stu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health psychology 1993-05, Vol.12 (3), p.200-208
Main Authors: Turner, Rebecca A, Irwin, Charles E, Tschann, Jeanne M, Millstein, Susan G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescent Attitudes
Adolescent Behavior
Attitude to Health
Autonomy
Child
Demographic Characteristics
Early Adolescence
Family
Female
Health Behavior
Health Risk Behavior
Human
Humans
Independence (Personality)
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Parent Child Relations
Parental Attitudes
Psychology, Adolescent
Risk-Taking
Schools
Sexual Behavior
Students - psychology
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Summary:This study examined the relationships among sociodemographic characteristics, family processes, and the initiation of health risk behaviors in early adolescence. Subjects were 189 6th and 7th graders from a public middle school. A path-analytic model was used to analyze data. Results showed that students who received autonomy support from parents were less likely to initiate sexual intercourse. Students who were emotionally detached from their parents were more likely to fight and use substances. Those who were emotionally detached tended to come from families with low levels of cohesion and acceptance. Sociodemographic variables, such as family structure, gender, and ethnicity, had both direct and indirect effects on health risk behaviors, but the indirect effects were quite small.
ISSN:0278-6133
1930-7810
DOI:10.1037/0278-6133.12.3.200