Psychometric Characteristics of the Turkish Version of Adolescent Lifestyle Profile R2

The effect of health literacy on health behaviors in a sample of Turkish adolescents

PURPOSE

Health literacy is a strong factor in the health outcomes and behaviors of adolescents. This study was conducted to examine the health literacy levels of adolescents, their health behaviors, and the effect of health literacy on health behaviors.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 649 adolescents between the ages of 14 and 18. Data were collected using the Adolescent Lifestyle Profile II (ALP-R2) and the Health Literacy Scale for School-Age Children (HLSAC). A multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine the effects of health literacy on health behaviors and the factors associated with health behaviors.

RESULTS

The mean total ALP-R2 score of the participants was 114.35 ± 17.48, and their mean HLSAC score was 28.95 ± 5.79. Among the participants, 26% had low health literacy, 61.9% had moderate health literacy, and 12% had high health literacy. The regression analysis revealed that the health literacy levels of the participants significantly predicted all dimensions of health behaviors and total health behaviors (p < 0.001). The health literacy levels of the participants, the community where the adolescent lived, their participation in social activities, family relationships, friend relationships, and health perceptions significantly predicted their total health behaviors (R2 = 0.347; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The health literacy levels and health behaviors of adolescents were found to be moderate, and their health behaviors increased as their levels of health literacy increased. The results showed that the health literacy and health behaviors of adolescents need to be improved.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Nurses should provide training to increase the healthy lifestyle behaviors and health literacy of adolescents.

The effect of a training program on adolescents' stress levels and healthy lifestyle behaviors during the Covid-19 pandemic: A randomized controlled study

TOPIC

Adolescence is the period when people adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors and turn them into habits. Healthy lifestyle behaviors are a significant step toward a long and healthy life.

PURPOSE

This study investigated the effect of a training program on adolescents' stress levels and healthy lifestyle behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

This randomized controlled study was conducted between May and July 2021. The sample consisted of 100 adolescents living in a city in the south of Turkey. Participants were randomized into intervention and control groups using block randomization. The intervention group participated in an online (Zoom) training program consisting of two 45 min sessions once a week for 8 weeks. Data were collected using the adolescent stress questionnaire (ASQ) and the adolescent lifestyle profile (ALP).

RESULTS

The results showed that 73% (n: 73) of the participants had developed hygiene habits since the onset of the pandemic. However, the pandemic negatively affected participants' dietary habits (45%, n: 45), physical activity (70%, n: 70), coping mechanisms (68%, n: 68), sleep patterns (54%, n: 54), Internet/social media/video game addiction (64%, n: 64), and interpersonal relationships (57%, n: 57). The intervention group had a lower mean ASQ posttest score and a higher mean ALP posttest score than the control group. The intervention group had a lower mean ASQ posttest score than their pretest score. The intervention group also had a higher mean ALP posttest score than their pretest score.

CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The training program helped adolescents feel less stress and adopt more healthy lifestyle behaviors. Pediatric nurses should identify risk factors and design and implement appropriate plans to help adolescents go through future pandemics with as little damage as possible. Parents and educators should support adolescents against the adverse impacts of events such as the COVID 19 pandemic.

Examination of Predictive Factors Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours and Compare Coping Styles with Stress of Adolescents with and without Hearing Loss: A Comparative Study

Objective: Examination of predictive factors healthy lifestyle behaviours and compare coping styles with stress of adolescents with and without Hearing Loss (HL). Methods: A comparative cross‐sectional design was employed. The participants comprise high school students with (n= 272) and without (n= 272) HL. Participants completed questionnaires on coping styles with stress and Adolescent Lifestyle Profile Scale 2 (ALP‐R2). Descriptive statistics, chi‐square, t‐test, and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the responses given to the above instruments. Results: Adolescents without HL (116.46±16.89) had significantly higher scores on the lifestyle profile scale than another group (113.68±16.12) (p

Physical Activity Levels, Enjoyment, and Perceptions of Barriers to Physical Activity of Adolescents with Visual Impairments in Turkey

Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to determine the physical activity (PA) status of adolescents with visual impairment, their enjoyment of the PA, and their perception of barriers to PA.

Design and Methods:

This descriptive study was conducted with 110 adolescents with visual impairment. The data collection tools consisted of the (ALP-R2)-Physical Activity Subscale, the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PAES), Barriers to Physical Activity Questionnaires, and an Observation Form. The data were analyzed using frequencies, correlation, and Kappa tests.

Results:

It was observed that 60% of the participants stated that they did not engage in PA, 58.2% said they did not engage in PA to the extent of breaking out in a sweat and increasing their heartbeat, and 48.2% indicated that they never did PA 3 times a week for 20 minutes or more. The PAES mean score was 55.1 ± 5.5; the Physical Activity Subscale mean score was 12.5 ± 4.1 ( r = 0.42; p < 0.01).

Discussion:

Our findings were consistent with the results of other studies in that the changeable external factors and parental attitudes perceived as obstacles were similar.

Implications for practitioners:

Most of the participants wanted to be more active. Most of the adolescents’ answers to the questions about the perceived barriers to PA were contrary to what had been expected. Although the adolescents said they did not engage in PA, the number of adolescents who perceived changeable factors such as the environment and parents’ attitudes as barriers was not negligible.