The role of psychosocial protective factors in adolescent health-enhancing behaviours (healthy diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, good dental hygiene, and seat belt use) was investigated among 1,493 Hispanic, White, and Black high school students in a large, urban school district. Both proximal (health-related) and distal (conventionality-related) protective factors have significant positive relations with health-enhancing behaviour and with the development of health-enhancing behaviour. In addition, in cross-sectional analyses, protection was shown to moderate risk. Key proximal protective factors are value on health, perceived effects of health-compromising behaviour, and parents who model health behaviour. Key distal protective factors are positive orientation to school, friend who model conventional behaviour, involvement in prosocial activities, and church attendance. The findings suggest the importance of individual differences on a dimension of conventionality-unconventionality. Strengthening both proximal and distal protective factors may help to promote healthful behaviours in adolescents. (Author/publisher)
Abstract