The Implications of Socioeconomic Status and Gender for Reports of Subjective Health among Teenagers
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Date
2019-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Research on subjective health is common, but more information is needed to better understand the implications of socioeconomic status and gender for health. Although there are many factors that contribute to subjective health, this study focused on the amount and quality of sleep, quality of nutrition and diet, and the access to and amount of physical activity among teenagers. The purpose of this study was to use data from a large urban sample (N=3,444) to explore how these factors may differ based on socioeconomic status and gender and how they can affect a teenager’s subjective health. Regression analyses was first used to analyze the extent to which gender and socioeconomic status predict subjective health, then to analyze the extent to which gender and socioeconomic status predict healthy behaviors, and finally to analyze the extent to which healthy behaviors partially explain relationships between subjective health and both gender and socioeconomic status. The results of the regression analyses indicated associations between subjective health and both gender and socioeconomic status. Results also indicated females had trouble falling and staying asleep more frequently than males, along with participating in less moderate and vigorous physical activity. Those with lower socioeconomic status also reported having trouble falling and staying asleep more frequently than those with higher socioeconomic status, along with eating less fruits and vegetables, and participating in less moderate and vigorous physical activity. Finally, in the final model, the associations between subjective health and both gender and socioeconomic status were partially mediated by healthy behaviors. This research is important because it can promote discussion about health promoting strategies for especially young girls and those in lower socioeconomic statuses.
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Keywords
Gender, Socioeconomic Status, Subjective Health, Teenagers