Predictors of Adolescent Self-rated Health: Analysis of the National Population Health Survey

Objective: To examine what factors predict adolescents' concepts of their health. Methods: The study, based on the longitudinal National Population Health Survey, included 1,493 adolescents who were 12-19 at the time of interview. Sex, age, grade, family structure, income, disability, chronic h...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian journal of public health 2002-05, Vol.93 (3), p.193-197
Main Authors: Vingilis, Evelyn R., Wade, Terrance J., Seeley, Jane S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior
Adolescents
Adult
Analysis. Health state
Attitude to Health
Biological and medical sciences
Body mass index
Canada - epidemiology
Child
Disabilities
Emotions
Epidemiology
Exercise
Female
General aspects
Health
Health aspects
Health Status Indicators
Health surveys
Holistic Health
Humans
Lifestyle
Logistic Models
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Medical sciences
Physical fitness
Physical health
Psychology, Adolescent
Public health
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Self Disclosure
Self image
Social engagement
Social psychology
Teenagers
Youth
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Summary:Objective: To examine what factors predict adolescents' concepts of their health. Methods: The study, based on the longitudinal National Population Health Survey, included 1,493 adolescents who were 12-19 at the time of interview. Sex, age, grade, family structure, income, disability, chronic health problems, social supports, social involvement, school/work involvement, smoking, alcohol bingeing, physical activities, Body Mass Index (BMI) and psychological health status variables were examined. Using ordinal multivariate regression, self-rated health was regressed on all predictors, which were entered in blocks hierarchically. Results: The analyses revealed that adolescent perceptions of health are framed not only by their physical health status, but also by personal, socio-environmental, behavioural and psychological factors. Specifically, health problems, disability, age, female status, lower income, smoking, and higher BMI were associated with lower self-rated health. Conclusions: This study suggests that adolescent appraisals of their health are shaped by their overall sense of functioning, which includes both physical health and non-physical health dimensions. Objectif : Examiner les facteurs qui permettent de prévoir la conception que les adolescents ont de leur santé. Méthodes : L'étude, fondée sur l'Enquête nationale longitudinale sur la santé de la population, portait sur 1 493 adolescents de 12 à 19 ans au moment de l'entrevue. Les variables suivantes ont été examinées : sexe, âge, niveau scolaire, structure familiale, revenu, déficience, problèmes de santé chroniques, soutien social, participation à la vie sociale, attachement à l'école et au travail, tabagisme, épisodes de consommation excessive d'alcool, activités physiques, indice de masse corporelle (IMC) et état de santé psychologique. À l'aide de la régression à plusieurs variables ordinales, on a calculé une régression de toutes les variables explicatives de l'auto-évaluation de l'état de santé qui ont été entrées en blocs hiérarchiques. Résultats : Les analyses ont révélé que les perceptions que les adolescents ont de la santé sont fondées non seulement sur leur état de santé physique, mais aussi sur des facteurs personnels, socio-environnementaux, comportementaux et psychologiques. Plus particulièrement, les problèmes de santé, la déficience, l'âge, le fait d'être une femme, un faible revenu, le tabagisme et des IMC plus élevés ont été associés à des auto-évaluations moins élevées de l'
ISSN:0008-4263
1920-7476
DOI:10.1007/bf03404999