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Peer Perceptions of Adolescent Health Behaviors
Author(s) -
Ransom Mary Virginia
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of school health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.851
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1746-1561
pISSN - 0022-4391
DOI - 10.1111/j.1746-1561.1992.tb01234.x
Subject(s) - psychology , adolescent health , perception , peer group , health behavior , peer relations , developmental psychology , environmental health , medicine , nursing , neuroscience
Perceptions adolescents form of peers in relation to modeled health behaviors were examined. Five hundred ten adolescents, ages 12–15, from eight midwest schools were shown a slide of a male or female adolescent displaying a health behavior artifact (apple, tennis racket, cigarette, beer can), or without an artifact and asked to rate the model on 16 characteristics using a semantic differential scale. Data were factor analyzed using principle components analysis and a 2times2x5 MANOVA. Results indicated that models appeared less mature when holding a beer can or cigarette. In addition, the female model was rated more popular than the male in the control and beer can depictions. The influence of modeled behaviors on traits adolescents want to develop must be understood to present effective health education programs. Educational efforts should include consideration of the perceptions adolescents hold of their peers' health behaviors.