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Peers, parents and phones-Swedish adolescents and health promotion

Lindqvist, Anna Karin LU ; Kostenius, Catrine and Gard, Gunvor LU (2012) In International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being 7.
Abstract

Many unhealthy behaviors are created during adolescence and follow the individual into adulthood. In addition, health behaviors often occur in clusters as those who are inactive are more likely to eat unhealthy food and smoke. This makes the early foundation of healthy behaviors vital. The aim was to describe and develop an understanding of adolescents' awareness and experiences concerning health promotion. Data was collected using focus groups with a total of 28 seventh graders and was analysed with latent qualitative content analysis. One main theme was identified; being competent, ambivalent and creative at the same time. The following three subthemes also emerged: being a digital native for better and for worse, knowing what is... (More)

Many unhealthy behaviors are created during adolescence and follow the individual into adulthood. In addition, health behaviors often occur in clusters as those who are inactive are more likely to eat unhealthy food and smoke. This makes the early foundation of healthy behaviors vital. The aim was to describe and develop an understanding of adolescents' awareness and experiences concerning health promotion. Data was collected using focus groups with a total of 28 seventh graders and was analysed with latent qualitative content analysis. One main theme was identified; being competent, ambivalent and creative at the same time. The following three subthemes also emerged: being a digital native for better and for worse, knowing what is healthy, and sometimes doing it, and considering change and having ideas of how change could be supported. The main theme elucidates how the majority of students were informed and able but they did not always prioritize their health. The concept of health promotion relies upon the engagement of the individual; however, although the students had clear ideas about how they would like to change their own behaviors, they felt a need for support. Interestingly, the students were able to make several suggestions about the kind of support that would make a difference to their adoption to more healthy modes of living. They suggested information and communication technology (ICT), for example encouraging text messages (SMS), and social support, for example parents setting rules and peers inspiring them to adhere to a healthy behavior. The knowledge gained from this study echoes our view of inclusion and this could be helpful for those who encounter the challenge of promoting health among adolescents.

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author
; and
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
keywords
Adolescents, Content analysis, Empowerment, Focus groups, Health promotion, Information and communication technology, Social support
in
International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being
volume
7
article number
17726
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • scopus:84875203260
  • pmid:22740843
ISSN
1748-2623
DOI
10.3402/qhw.v7i0.17726
language
English
LU publication?
no
id
8c6b58a2-e444-4d74-bbc9-048eb25d479f
date added to LUP
2016-12-19 13:38:10
date last changed
2024-01-04 19:17:30
@article{8c6b58a2-e444-4d74-bbc9-048eb25d479f,
  abstract     = {{<p>Many unhealthy behaviors are created during adolescence and follow the individual into adulthood. In addition, health behaviors often occur in clusters as those who are inactive are more likely to eat unhealthy food and smoke. This makes the early foundation of healthy behaviors vital. The aim was to describe and develop an understanding of adolescents' awareness and experiences concerning health promotion. Data was collected using focus groups with a total of 28 seventh graders and was analysed with latent qualitative content analysis. One main theme was identified; being competent, ambivalent and creative at the same time. The following three subthemes also emerged: being a digital native for better and for worse, knowing what is healthy, and sometimes doing it, and considering change and having ideas of how change could be supported. The main theme elucidates how the majority of students were informed and able but they did not always prioritize their health. The concept of health promotion relies upon the engagement of the individual; however, although the students had clear ideas about how they would like to change their own behaviors, they felt a need for support. Interestingly, the students were able to make several suggestions about the kind of support that would make a difference to their adoption to more healthy modes of living. They suggested information and communication technology (ICT), for example encouraging text messages (SMS), and social support, for example parents setting rules and peers inspiring them to adhere to a healthy behavior. The knowledge gained from this study echoes our view of inclusion and this could be helpful for those who encounter the challenge of promoting health among adolescents.</p>}},
  author       = {{Lindqvist, Anna Karin and Kostenius, Catrine and Gard, Gunvor}},
  issn         = {{1748-2623}},
  keywords     = {{Adolescents; Content analysis; Empowerment; Focus groups; Health promotion; Information and communication technology; Social support}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being}},
  title        = {{Peers, parents and phones-Swedish adolescents and health promotion}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/qhw.v7i0.17726}},
  doi          = {{10.3402/qhw.v7i0.17726}},
  volume       = {{7}},
  year         = {{2012}},
}