No. 10/2009: PARENTAL INCOME
AND RISK BEHAVIOUR AS DETERMINANTS OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH. Ivar Pettersen Abstract:
The relationship between health and income among adults is well
established. Adolescent health and parental income has not received the
same attention. In this study we look at household income both as a
direct determinant of adolescent health and as an important factor in
relation to behavioural patterns among adolescents. The data used is
from two surveys conducted in a Norwegian county (n=9 000, which
accounts for 90 % of the age-group 13-19 in a Norwegian county). The
results indicate that income works partly through some health-promoting
behaviours but, still has a significant direct effect on adolescent
health. We also find that high household-income does not cushion the
effect of health-deteriorating behaviour, but it strengthens the
probability that adolescents take part in physical activity. Household
income is important in terms of increasing the probability that
adolescents actively participate in sports and physical activity in
general. |