| Abstract: | In order to describe conceptions of health of male adolescents, structured interviews were individually conducted with 700 14–16 yr old boys from a disadvantaged urban environment. A classical content analysis of respondents' verbalizations was conducted and interrater reliability coefficients were calculated. Results indicate that being functional, lifestyle health behaviours, and to a lesser extent psychological well-being are the most important components of their conception of health. Adolescents emphasized vegetation, natural elements, and the absence of pollution in their neighbourhood, as well as encouragements to engage in physical activity. Mothers and television are the main sources of health information. Respondents rarely mentioned issues related to leading health problems for adolescents: unintentional injuries, suicide, teenage pregnancy, and sexually transmitted disease. It is concluded that adolescents' conception of health may just mirror what the adults try to transmit to them in terms of health promotion or prevention. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
