Citation

Pickett W, Berg RL, Marlenga B. J. Rural Health 2018; 34(3): 275-282.

Affiliation

National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety, National Farm Medicine Center, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Marshfield, Wisconsin.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, National Rural Health Association, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/jrh.12281

PMID

29058351

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine whether patterns of adolescent risk behavior in rural populations, and especially farm populations, are associated with negative indicators of adolescent health and well-being, beyond an established association between risk-taking and injury.

METHODS: The study base was Cycle 7 (2014) of the Canadian Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children study. Children aged 11-16 years (n = 2,565; 2,533 weighted) who reported living or working on farms were matched within schools in a 1:1 ratio with other rural children. We related a scale describing engagement in multiple risk behavior to a series of indicators of adolescent health and well-being.

FINDINGS: Farm children, particularly male farm children, showed the highest levels of risk behavior. Multiple risk behavior was strongly and consistently associated with negative indicators of general health, mental health (life satisfaction, psychosomatic symptoms), and academic performance in all subpopulations.

CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent risk behavior in rural populations, and especially farm populations, is common and associated with a variety of negative indicators of adolescent health and well-being. We speculate that the origins of this risk-taking lifestyle surround cultural definitions of self and identity, which have both protective and negative effects.

© 2017 National Rural Health Association.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent behavior; farm; health; risk-taking; rural population