This study examined the relation of psychosocial and behavioural conventionality-unconventionality to health-related behaviour in cross-sectional data from 1.588 male and female 7th to 12th graders. Conventionality-unconventionality was represented by personality, perceived social environment, and behaviour variables selected from the social-psychological framework of problem-behaviour theory (R. Jessor & S.L. Jessor, 1977). Greater psychosocial conventionality correlated with more regular involvement in health-related behaviour (regular physical activity, adequate sleep, safety belt use, attentional to healthy diet). Greater behavioural conventionality (less involvement in problem behaviours such as marijuana use, problem drinking, delinquent-type behaviour, and greater involvement in conventional behaviours such as church attendance) was also associated with greater involvement in health-maintaining behaviour. The overall findings provide support for the extension of problem-behaviour theory to the domain of adolescent health behaviour and for the relevance of the dimension of conventionality-unconventionality. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting