Citation

Pinch WJ, Heck M, Vinal D. Adolescence 1986; 21(84): 961-969.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1986, Libra Publishers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

3825675

Abstract

Lifestyle factors established within the family help determine health care functioning. Adolescents may first be challenged to meet their own health needs in their 1st year of a US university. A 153-item questionnaire was used to examine concerns in the areas of alcohol and other drug use, auto safety, weight and dieting, smoking, sexuality, coping, and stress, and selection and utilization of health-care services, issues that have been examined in literature reviewed by this article, and whose importance was reinforced by a Delphi study conducted among key individuals at the university. 159 male university students reponded. 85% were between 18-19; 71% Roman Catholic, 77% white, and 79% indicated both parents were living at home. Major proglems are suggested by several statistics. 28% reported using marijuana; 11% cocaine; 25% drugs prescribed for others; 41% self-medication with non-prescription products; 39% drinking 2 or more times/week and 62% consuming 4+ drinks at a time. 25% missed class because of drinking, 6% considered themselves to have an alcohol problem and 7% a drug problem. 47% reported driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Positive lifestyle factors that were strongly supported included regular exercise, (71%); nonsmoking (81%); regular medical and dental checkups, and the development of some support systems to cope with stress (85%). Stress may still be considered a major adolescent problem. There was also evidence of a need for comprehensive services and information for problems of sexuality, pregnancy, contraception, venereal disease prevention, and counseling on health preventive behavior, e.g. self testicular exam. Health care services designated by respondents to meet their own needs were significantly different from those they pointed out as needed for their peers, a fact that seems to reinforce the role self-recognition and acknowledgement play in preventing and treating these problem areas.

Language: en