ERIC Number: EJ1260815
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1932-5037
EISSN: N/A
Co-Occurring Health Risk Behaviors and Their Association with Self-Rated Health among Female College Students
Samuolis, Jessica; McGeorge, Laila
American Journal of Health Education, v51 n4 p257-264 2020
Background: Existing research focuses on the co-occurrence of lifestyle-related health risk behaviors among college students. Although students' self-reported health risk behaviors have been examined, students' self-rated health and its association with these co-occurring health risk behaviors have been overlooked. Purpose: The goals of the current study were to identify levels of co-occurrence of health risk behaviors among female college students and to test the prediction that students with multiple co-occurring health risk behaviors would report poorer self-rated health. Methods: Data from an online survey that assessed the five selected health risk behaviors and self-rated health of undergraduate students at a liberal arts university in the northeast of the USA were analyzed. Results: High prevalence rates were found on all five risk behaviors and the majority of participants reported engaging in two or more co-occurring health behaviors. The inverse association between perceived health and level of co-occurrence of health risk behaviors was consistent with what was predicted. Discussion: Students' perceived health should be considered in the examination of health risk behaviors among college students. Translation to Health Education Practice: These findings can inform efforts to provide Health Education and prevention programming on college campuses that incorporates multiple health behaviors.
Descriptors: Health Behavior, Females, Risk, Life Style, Correlation, Self Evaluation (Individuals), Undergraduate Students, Incidence, Liberal Arts, Alcohol Abuse, Nutrition, Physical Activity Level, Sleep, Sexuality, Young Adults, Health Education
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A