Stress, coping strategies and related factors in a sample of Iranian adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Since the stress and coping are the most reported problems by adolescents, this study aims to apprise the stressors, coping strategies and influential factors among male adolescents. METHODS: The effect of stressors, coping strategies and some demographics variables were studied in 402 male adolescents in Tehran, Iran. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. A multiple regression was performed to assess factors related to perceived stress. RESULTS: The mean age of adolescents was 15.44 (SD=0.68) years. The mean value of perceived stress for the whole sample was 17.99 (SD=6.02). Cognitive/emotional coping was the most frequent coping style. The findings revealed that there was a significant correlation between perceived and accumulative stress. In multiple regression analysis, the accumulative stress, social resources, parent`s education and grade point average were found to be significant predictors of perceived stress. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that increased level of perceived stress is associated with accumulative stress, social resources and parent`s education that are modifiable factors. Stress management education might be a solution to overcome increased perceived stress.

Application of the health promotion model to predict stages of exercise behaviour in Iranian adolescents.

A cluster random sample of 1073 students in the Islamic Republic of Iran (mean age 14.37 years) completed a self-report questionnaire consisting of an exercise measure, selected constructs of Pender's health promotion model and an assessment of stages of behaviour change in exercise. In multivariate discriminant analysis, exercise self-efficacy, perceived barriers to exercise, perceived benefits of exercise and exercise behaviour were significant predictors of the stage of exercise behaviour change for both female and male adolescents. The findings support the importance of self-efficacy for engaging in physical activity for both sexes of Iranian adolescents. The barriers faced by Iranian girls should be considered in interventions to increase physical activity rates.

Self-efficacy: does it predict the effectiveness of contraceptive use in Iranian women?

This study explored the relative effects of self-efficacy on oral contraceptive use among a sample of 352 Iranian married women aged 18-49 years. In structured interviews 5 variables based on the Steps to Behaviour Change model (knowledge, approval, intention, practice and advocacy) were assessed and correlated with measures of family planning self-efficacy and general self-efficacy. The results indicated that the 2 independent measures, when taken together, were more effective in predicting behavioural intentions for effective use of oral contraceptives, with family planning self-efficacy making the strongest contribution. It is suggested that self-efficacy intervention techniques will benefit oral contraceptive users in preventing unintended pregnancies.

Self-efficacy: does it predict the effectiveness of contraceptive use in Iranian women?

This study explored the relative effects of self-efficacy on oral contraceptive use among a sample of 352 Iranian married women aged 18-49 years. In structured interviews 5 variables based on the Steps to Behaviour Change model [knowledge, approval, intention, practice and advocacy] were assessed and correlated with measures of family planning self-efficacy and general self-efficacy. The results indicated that the 2 independent measures, when taken together, were more effective in predicting behavioural intentions for effective use of oral contraceptives, with family planning self-efficacy making the strongest contribution. It is suggested that self-efficacy intervention techniques will benefit oral contraceptive users in preventing unintended pregnancies

Application of the health promotion model to predict stages of exercise behaviour in Iranian adolescents

A cluster random sample of 1073 students in the Islamic Republic of Iran [mean age 14.37 years] completed a self-report questionnaire consisting of an exercise measure, selected constructs of Pender's health promotion model and an assessment of stages of behaviour change in exercise. In multivariate discriminant analysis, exercise self-efficacy, perceived barriers to exercise, perceived benefits of exercise and exercise behaviour were significant predictors of the stage of exercise behaviour change for both female and male adolescents. The findings support the importance of self-efficacy for engaging in physical activity for both sexes of Iranian adolescents. The barriers faced by Iranian girls should be considered in interventions to increase physical activity rates

Influence of mothers' oral health knowledge and attitudes on their children's dental health.

AIM: This was to evaluate the influence of mothers' oral health-related knowledge and attitudes on the tooth-brushing behaviour and dental health of their children and to compare the effect of these maternal aspects on child's oral health. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In 2005, an oral health study conducted among a random sample of 457 mother and child pairs in Tehran, Iran, used self-administered questionnaires to provide data on mothers' oral health-related knowledge and attitudes and children's tooth-brushing behaviour. Clinical data allowed assessment of dental status of the primary and permanent dentition. STATISTICS: Chi-square test and binary logistic regression models were employed. RESULTS: Generally, mothers had extensive knowledge of and positive attitudes towards oral health. Mothers' higher level of oral health knowledge and better attitude scores were associated with children's sound dentition (p<0.05), while only mothers' better attitude was associated with children's twice-daily tooth brushing (p=0.001). The multivariate analyses showed that children of mothers with higher attitude scores were more likely to brush their teeth twice daily (OR = 2.1; 95% CI 1.2 - 3.7) and have sound dentition (OR = 12.4; 95% CI 1.8 - 85.9). The models revealed that mother's knowledge per se had no effect on children's sound dental health, but showed an additive effect with mother's attitudes. CONCLUSIONS: Because twice-daily tooth-brushing behaviour and sound dentition in 9-year-olds were associated with their mothers' positive oral health-related attitudes, in developing oral health promotion programs for children and adolescents, the considerable potential of mothers should be a major focus of oral health professionals.

Developing a culturally valid and reliable quality of life questionnaire for diabetes mellitus.

The aim of this study was to design a culturally adapted questionnaire for studying quality of life (QOL) among type 1 and 2 adult diabetes patients in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The 41 items on the questionnaire were based on qualitative research and covered general and health-related QOL. In a descriptive survey, 104 patients completed the questionnaire; 68 (65.4%) were female. Mean age was 50.5 years (standard deviation 12.8). Most patients (86.5%) had type 2 diabetes. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the questionnaire was 0.98. The questionnaire successfully distinguished the lower QOL of patients suffering from pain in the limbs, loss of appetite, fatigue, constipation and itching. The questionnaire could determine both general and health-related QOL.

Developing a culturally valid and reliable quality of life questionnaire for diabetes mellitus

The aim of this study was to design a culturally adapted questionnaire for studying quality of life [QOL] among type 1 and 2 adult diabetes patients in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The 41 items on the questionnaire were based on qualitative research and covered general and health-related QOL. In a descriptive survey, 104 patients completed the questionnaire; 68 [65.4%] were female. Mean age was 50.5 years [standard deviation 12.8]. Most patients [86.5%] had type 2 diabetes. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the questionnaire was 0.98. The questionnaire successfully distinguished the lower QOL of patients suffering from pain in the limbs, loss of appetite, fatigue, constipation and itching. The questionnaire could determine both general and health-related QOL