Relation between Health Habits and Stree in Adolescents

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Adolesoents experience many physical, psychological and social stresses. It is well known that there is a strong relationship between stress and illness. It has been told that good health goes with good health habits. We examine the relationship between several health habits and stress in adolescents. METHODS: We surveyed adolescents and their parents who visited an adolescent clinic in a general hospital for 8 manths. Structured questionnaires about status of several health habits and BEPSI(The Brief Encounterr Psychosocial Instrument) score were used. BEPSI is a quick stress measure that is composed of several items. RESULTS: This study included 486 adolescents and their 486 parents. Average number of good health habits was 3.2+/-1.7 and average BEPSI score was 2.1+/-0.6. The group that had more good health habits tended to mark lower BEPSI scores(p<0.05). There was a significant relationship between stress and each habit except sleep time of more than 7hrs, regular exercise and hobby. Smoker group and alcohol drinker group showed higher BEPSI scores, respectively. The conversation time between parents and adolescents had a significant relationship with BEPSI scores. CONCLUSIONS: Several health habits were significantly connected with stress in adolescents. We can assume that good health habits and conversation with their parents are important in the management of stress in adolescents.