• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.171-187
• /
• 1998

In recent years, adolescent issues including smoking, drinking, drug abuse, juvenile delinquency, deviant sexual behavior, mental health problems, high suicide rate, juvenile delinquency and absence without due notice, etc are emerging as serious social problems and the debate on these controversial issues is heating up. The previous studies on adolescent health behavior and social juvenile delinquency such as run-away from home and absence without due notice have been conducted mostly by cause analysis utilizing social demographic factors or biological factors. In other words, the main factors analyzed were demographic and economic factors or parent's educational level, etc, which were the fixed environmental ones that were unable to cause the change in the health behavior. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to analyze factors which are changeable and fixable among the factors influencing the adolescent's health behavior and misconducts and, eventually influencing factors which can be used as the basis to establish health policies and health promotion program to reduce the health risk behavior and misconducts of adolescents. The study subjects were selected by dividing senior high school student in Seoul by region and through random sampling. The 890 subjects were selected from 10 schools including the preparatory school, vocational schools and institutional schools. The duration of the study was for July 1-5, 1997 for the first survey and the second one, for August 25-September 10. Regarding the analysis method, the SAS program was used. The adoptablity of theoretical model was tested through covariance structural analysis utilizing PC-LISREL 8.12 Program. The major findings of the study are as follows: As a result of establishing the model of factors influencing health behavior and juvenile delinquency, in case of male students as the health behavior self-efficacy, education level of fathers, economic level, self-control and the health interest of parent were higher, students were more likely to practice the health promoting behavior. Juvenile delinquency and health risk behavior were prevalent among those with the less shyness, the lower health behavior self-efficacy, lower self-control, lower self-assertiveness, lower economic level. The self-control was the most powerful factor. In case of female students, those with higher health behavior self-efficacy were more likely to practice the health promoting behavior whereas those with lower health behavior self-efficacy, lower self-control, lower self- assertiveness, less shyness were more likely to practice health risk behavior and juvenile delinquency. In case of prep schools, those with higher health behavior self-efficacy and better perceived health status were more likely to practice the health promoting behavior while those with less shyness, lower health behavior self-efficacy and lower academic achievement were more likely to engage in health risk behavior and juvenile delinquency. In case of vocational schools, as health behavior self-efficacy and economic level were higher, the practice rate of health promoting behavior was higher. As the self-control, shyness, self-assertiveness, health behavior self-efficacy were lower, the rate of health risk behavior and juvenile delinquency were higher. In case of social institutional schools, as, the health behavior self-efficacy, social support and economic level, health interest of parents were higher, the rate of health promoting behavior were higher. As the self-control, shyness, self-assertiveness, health behavior self-efficacy and social support were lower, the rate of health risk behavior and juvenile delinquency were higher. So the health promoting behavior was positively related to the health behavior self-efficacy, health interest of parents, social support, education level of fathers, level of perceived health status, economic level. The health risk behavior and juvenile delinquency were higher with the lower health behavior self-efficacy, self-control and self-assertiveness, lower health locus control, less shyness and loneliness, lower economic level and academic achievement. In conclusion, the health risk behavior and juvenile delinquency can be reduced by enhancing self-control, self-assertiveness, health behavior self-efficacy and social support. According to the final model drawn by connecting health behavior and juvenile delinquency, the reduction of health risk behavior can greatly contribute to decreasing social juvenile delinquency as the process of juvenile delinquency was extended from common behaviors to problem behaviors and further into juvenile delinquency.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.125-133
• /
• 2023

Objectives : This study aims to compare the mental health of adolescents living in child care institutions (orphanages) and youth shelters, to provide basic data for appropriate psychiatric interventions for each facilities. Methods : The sample consisted of 157 adolescents in child care institutions and 31 adolescents in Youth Shelters who completed the Korean version of the Youth Self Report (K-YSR). We compared the K-YSR scores between the two groups and also examined factors related to suicidality. Results : Adolescents in youth shelters were older and had higher rates of drinking (p<0.001), smoking (p<0.001), and "abnormal sleep" (p=0.007) than adolescents in child care institutions. They also showed higher 'suicidality' (p=0.004) and K-YSR scores. On the other hand, adolescents in child care institutions have lower 'suicidality', but they have higher 'suicidality' when they have 'abnormal sleep' (OR 4.194; p=0.006), 'abnormal diet' (OR 2.503; p=0.010), and 'concerns about weight gain' (OR 2.503; p=0.010). Additionally, 17.6% of participants in the study showed 'suicidality'. The 'suicidality' group had a higher overall K-YSR score than the non-suicidal group, and had higher 'abnormal sleep' (OR 3.766; p=0.014) and 'concern about weight gain' (OR 2.864; p=0.032). Conclusions : Adolescents in youth shelters appear to have more serious clinical difficulties than adolescents in child care institutions, so prompt psychiatric intervention is needed. Additionally, it is necessary to consider mental health assessments including suicidality when adolescents in child care institutions complain of sleep, eating, or weight gain problems.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.11
• /
• pp.5637-5642
• /
• 2012

Objective: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies and its mortality ranks third among all cancers in China. We previously noted that XRCC1 Arg194Trp was associated with GC risk in Western China in a study on XRCC1 Arg194Trp and ADPRT Val762Ala. We aimed to further explore the association of these polymorphisms with risk of the noncardia subtype. Methods: We enrolled 176 noncardia GC patients and 308 controls from four hospitals and a community between October 2010 and August 2011. Genotyping was performed in a 384-well plate format on the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. A self-designed questionnaire was utilized to collect epidemiological data from the subjects regarding demographic factors and potential risk factors. Results: Subjects were aged $56.8{\pm}11.8$ (mean ${\pm}$ standard deviation) and $57.6{\pm}11.1$ years in the case and control groups, respectively. Individuals carrying the XRCC1 Trp/Trp or Arg/Trp variant genotype were at significantly increased risk of noncardia GC (adjusted OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.00-2.17), after adjustment for family history of cancer, drinking, and smoking. The increased risk of XRCC1 Arg194Trp variant genotype was more pronounced among subjects below 60 years old (adjusted OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.07-2.96), compared to older individuals. ADPRT Val762Ala variants (Ala/Ala or Val/Ala) were not associated with noncardia GC (adjusted OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.69-1.54). Conclusions: Our study suggests that XRCC1 Arg194Trp is a genetic susceptibility factor for developing noncardia GC in Han Chinese in Western China. In particular, individuals with the XRCC1 Arg194Trp variant genotype are at increased risk for GC below 60 years old.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.53 no.3
• /
• pp.255-270
• /
• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that influence the consumption of convenience foods among Korean adolescents. Methods: This study had a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data were obtained from the 15th (2019) Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, which involved a nationwide representative sample of 57,303 middle- and high-school students. Convenience-food consumption was defined by frequency of adolescents consuming convenience foods obtained from convenience stores, supermarkets, and cafeterias over the previous 7 days. The analyzed variables were related to sociodemographic, mental health, and health behavior. The Rao-Scott χ² test was applied to examine the difference in the rate of consuming convenience foods obtained from convenience stores according to each factor. Hierarchical logistic regression was conducted to examine the factors that influence convenience-food consumption among Korean adolescents. Results: It was found that 29.1% of Korean adolescents consumed convenience foods obtained from convenience store more than three times per week. The significant influencing factors were female sex; low subjective academic achievement, and subjective household economic status; high perceived stress; low subjective sleep sufficiency; experience of depression; suicidal ideation; lower physical activity; skipping breakfast; lower consumptions of fruit, milk, and vegetables; higher consumptions of soda drinks, sweet drinks, caffeine, and fast food; lower water intake; current smoking and drinking; drug use; and experience of violence. Conclusion: These findings provide a better understanding of the sociodemographic, mental-health, and health-behavior factors that influence the consumption of convenience foods among Korean adolescents. We suggest that differentiated policies, strategies, and nutrition education need to be developed and implemented, in order to address the above-mentioned factors and thereby reduce such behaviors among Korean adolescents.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.315-322
• /
• 2017

The aim of this study was to explore the association between daily toothbrushing frequency and health risk behaviors of school-going adolescents in poor urban areas of Peru. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 959 school-going adolescents 11~19 years of age in poor urban areas of Peru in 2014. Health risk behaviors we assessed in the study were smoking; drinking; consuming sugar-sweetened soft drinks (more than one cup); leisure time activities including watching television, playing games, and using the Internet; and never or rarely handwashing with soap. Daily toothbrushing frequency was divided into two groups (once and twice daily). For statistical analyses, the chi-square test and hierarchical logistic regression were used at 5% level of significance. Of the total respondents, 63 (14.3%) were boys and 53 (10.3%) were girls and 116 (12.1%) engaged in toothbrushing (${\leq}1$ times daily). According to the adjusted logistic regression analysis for socio-demographic characteristics, two behaviors (leisure time use activities, including watching television, playing games, and using the Internet (odds ratio [OR], 2.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20~4.35), and never or rarely hand washing with soap (OR, 4.09; CI, 2.48~6.75) were statistically associated with toothbrushing frequency (${\leq}1$ times daily). We found two health risk behaviors (leisure time activities, including watching television, playing games, and using the Internet, and never or rarely handwashing with soap) associated with toothbrushing frequency among adolescents in the study area. Thus, oral health promotion programs should consider these health risk behaviors associated with toothbrushing frequency.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.321-337
• /
• 1999

The purpose of this study was to obtain basic data for the prevention and control of adolescent back pain through analyzing connections between study environments and physical posture. The subjects were 960 male general high school students in the Chonju area and the data were collected by a self-reported questionnaire from Mar. 17 to Mar. 22, 1999. The collected data were analyzed by a frequency, chi-square and t-test using an SPSS program. The results are as follows; 1) The experience rate of back pain perceived by subjects was 67.5% and by each grade: 1st-27.5%, 2nd-35.4%, 3rd-37.1%. The relationship between grades and the experience of back pain didn't show any significant difference. 2) The causes of back pain perceived by subjects such as 'postures are not good' was 56.7%, 'sitting too much time in a chair' was 39.1%, and 'too severe exercise' was 32.4%. 27.8% had back pain first during the 3rd grade of middle school, and 23.9% had it first during the 1st grade of high school. 3) Intensity of subjects' back pain spread from 'moderate' at 49.6%, to 'severe' at 16.4%. Concerning the frequency of back pain, 58.6% said it was 'irregalar'. 4) Among interventions to deal with back pain: 'move by exercising my back or ask friends to beat my back' was 41.0%, 'just bear it' was 23.1%, and at home 'don't have 'any treatment' was ranked first, at 54.9%. 5) The relationship between subjects' general characteristics and back pain experiences: height (t=-1.99, P=.046), sitting/height (t=-2.61, P=.009), self-perceived condition of health (${\chi}^2=23.530$, P=.000), family history (${\chi}^2=43.903$, P=.000) showed significant difference, but the kinds of transportation, sleeping postures, sleeping method and smoking didn't show significant differences. 6) The relationship between subjects' learning environment and back pain experiences, the height of students' desk and chair showed significant difference (${\chi}^2=23.054$, P=.000), but the sitting time didn't show significant difference. 7) The relationship between the characteristics of subjects' physical postures and back pain experiences: standing postures (${\chi}^2=15.105$, P=.001), and sitting postures (${\chi}^2=20.264$X2, P=.001) showed significant difference, but lifting postures didn't show significant difference.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.953-956
• /
• 2012

Introduction: In order to control the tobacco scourge, an array of measures is required. Among them is focusing on adolescent relationships as it has been shown that being in a close relationship with a smoker or a non smoker will in the long run be a major factor in deciding whether the individual adopts smoking for initial non-smokers or ceases the habit for initial smokers. Objectives: To assess the attitude of youth towards other smokers and towards marrying a smoker. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 415 students from five universities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Self-administered structured questionnaires were used for data collection. The Chi square test was used to detect significant differences between frequencies. Results: Of the 415 participants who provided their gender information, 99 (24%) were males and 314 (76%) were females. Of all the participants, 83.5% were not willing to marry smokers, while 16.5% were willing. Of those whose parents smoked (106) 68% did not like it when their parents smoked, 13.6% had no opinion, 17.5% did not mind, while the other 1% had other thoughts. Of those whose close friends smoked, 43.4% did not like it, 16.2% did not have any opinion, 36.9% did not mind while 3.5% had other thoughts. Conclusion: Most participants, both males and females are not willing to marry smokers and prefer to have non-smokers as spouses. Also, smokers are seen as less attractive by both genders in contrast to what appears as popular beliefs amongst youngsters and what is depicted in tobacco advertisements. Tobacco control activities can be undertaken in the community and colleges by incorporating students as facilitators.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.20 no.12
• /
• pp.652-662
• /
• 2019

This study demonstrates the association between total sleep duration of adolescents, and its effects on their physical and mental health. Chi-square test and the multiple logistic regression model were applied to analyze the data collected in 2018 by the Korean Youth Health Behavior Survey (n = 52,928), conducted by the Korea Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Our analysis indicates increased suicidal ideation with insufficient total sleep duration as per the recommended amount and grade (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.06-1.29, p-value: 0.00]. Especially, insufficient sleep among adolescent girls significantly increases the risk of suicidal thoughts (OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.06-1.41, p-value: 0.01). Sufficient sleep showed reduced risk of suicidal ideation among boys (OR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.71-0.96, p-value: 0.02). We propose that to reduce the risk of suicide among teenagers, policy considerations are required to ensure sufficient sleep.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.1283-1293
• /
• 2013

The purpose of this study was to compare the health behaviors, mental health and internet addiction by gender differences among Korean adolescents and to examine relevances between health behaviors, mental health and internet addiction. The subjects were 73,238 Korean adolescents(male: 38,391, female: 34,847) who were recruited through national web-based survey. The data were derived from the Sixth Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey 2010 in South Korea. There were significant differences in health behaviors, mental health and internet addiction. by gender differences. Prevalence of internet addiction was male: 3.9%, female: 1.9% in this study. As the result of multiple logistic regression, the risk of internet addiction was increased in the case of smoking experience, substance experience, subjective health status, feeling of stress, depression experience, suicidal ideation, feeling of happiness, and sufficiency of sleeps in both male and female. Therefore, to decrease internet addiction prevalence, it is necessary to detect and manage the influencing risk factors of internet addiction such as health behaviors and mental health. And the health-promotion intervention to improve the internet addiction of adolescents should be planed and provided considering such differences by gender differences.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.10 no.5
• /
• pp.407-415
• /
• 2019

The purpose of this study was to analyze the dietary habits and health risk behaviors of adolescents who experienced part-time job. For this study raw data from the 13th Youth Health Behavior Online Survey (2017) was examined. Dietary habits and health risk behaviors for 62,823 adolescents were analyzed according to the experience of part-time job. Collected data were analyzed with the SPSS 24.0 program using descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis, to which the complex sample design was applied. The odds ratio of no fruit intake in adolescents who experienced part-time job compared to adolescents who have not experienced a part-time job was 1.20 (CI: 1.10-1.31). The odds ratio of fastfood intake in adolescents who experienced part-time job compared to adolescents who have not experienced a part-time job was 1.28 (CI: 1.19-1.38). The odds ratio of present smoking in adolescents who experienced part-time job compared to adolescents who have not experienced a part-time job was 3.48 (CI: 3.17-3.84). The odds ratio of present drinking was 3.36 (CI: 3.14-3.96). The odds ratio of high caffeine intake was 1.11 (CI: 1.04-1.19). The odds ratio of high caffeine intake was 2.29 (CI: 2.06-2.55). In developing health education programs for adolescents, it is necessary to include dietary habits and health risk behavior according to part-time experience.