ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to examine whether culturally diverse adolescents' self-reported engagement in preventative health care behaviors is associated with the following social and cognitive variables: health self-efficacy, value placed on health, perceived barriers to health promotion, and perceptions regarding primary caregivers' and peers' engagement in preventative health care behaviors. PROCEDURE: A cross-sectional study involving 108 high school students in health education classes was conducted. The majority of these participants (59.3%) identified as a racial minority, and 68% of these participants were female. RESULTS: Health self-efficacy, value placed on health, and perceptions regarding primary caregivers' and peers' engagement in preventative health care practices were all significantly correlated with the participating adolescents' self-reported engagement in preventative health care behaviors. Primary caregivers' and peers' engagement in preventative health care behaviors emerged as significant predictors of the participating adolescents' preventative health care behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Present findings suggest that family and peers are likely role models for adolescents in the area of preventative health care behaviors. Thus, interventions to promote these behaviors among adolescents similar to those in the present study need to be family, school, and community-based.
