Youth With Chronic Conditions and Risky Behaviors: An Indirect Path
Title
Youth With Chronic Conditions and Risky Behaviors: An Indirect Path
Creator
Gubelmann A; Berchtold A; Barrense-Dias Y; Akre C; Newman CJ; Suris J C
Identifier
Publisher
Journal of Adolescent Health.
Date
2018
Subject
adolescent; health status; structural equation modeling; education; major clinical study; student; wellbeing; vision; statistical analysis; human; article; female; male; controlled study; daily life activity; chronic disease; high risk behavior; juvenile; psychological adjustment; eating; gambling; internet addiction; substance use
Description
Purpose: To compare risk behaviors between youths living with a chronic condition (CC) and their healthy peers, controlling for condition severity. Methods: Data were drawn from the baseline wave of the GenerationFRee study (students aged 15-24 years in postmandatory education) during the 2014-2015 school year. The sample (N = 5,179) was divided into youths with CC without limitations (N = 536; 10.4%), youths with limitations (N = 114; 2.2%), and a control group (CG; N = 4,529; 87.4%). Groups were compared on internalizing (perceived health status, vision of their future, emotional wellbeing) and externalizing behaviors (substance use, gambling, excessive internet use, disordered eating, violent and antisocial acts) controlling for potential confounders. Statistical analyses were carried out through structural equation modeling. Results are given as unstandardized coefficients. Results: Overall, CC youths showed an association with internalizing behaviors (coefficient: .78) but not with externalizing behaviors. In fact, the connection with externalizing behaviors was indirect via the internalizing behaviors (.32). CC Youths reporting psychological issues were more likely to adopt every externalizing behavior. Analyzing separately youths with CC limiting daily life activities and those without limitations, the results did not change substantially. However, the association with internalizing behaviors was much higher for those reporting limitations (2.18 vs. .42). Conclusions: Our results show that the link between suffering from a CC and adopting risk behaviors is indirect through internalizing behaviors. Health professionals should address emotional wellbeing and perception of the future rather than focus exclusively on the effects of risk behaviors on specific diseases.
Citation List Month
December 2018 List
URL Address
Collection
Citation
Gubelmann A; Berchtold A; Barrense-Dias Y; Akre C; Newman CJ; Suris J C, “Youth With Chronic Conditions and Risky Behaviors: An Indirect Path,” Pediatric Palliative Care Library, accessed April 19, 2024, https://pedpalascnetlibrary.omeka.net/items/show/15825.