Determinants of positive health behavior in middle childhood.
The purpose of this study was to determine the contributions of sociodemographic variables, health experiences, family functioning, self-esteem, intrinsic motivation, and health perception to the health behaviors of preadolescent children. A convenience sample of 9- and 10-year-old children (N = 260) and their mothers responded to self-report questionnaires. Health behaviors were found to be gender specific and formed partially through a set of background variables that are largely fixed and nonmodifiable; these variables then interface with explanatory, modifiable factors that include the child's self-esteem, intrinsic motivation, and perceptions of health. Two models are described; 53% of the variance in girls' behavior and 63% of the variance in boys' behavior are explained.
Farrand
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University of Illinois, Chicago, College of Nursing.
Cox
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D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois / Q000453:epidemiology; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors