Teenager's health management (prospective study)

Purpose. - Observe how to evolve, in two years, elements that determine the health in a teenager's sample. Method. - The Wallston's Multidimensional Health Locus of Control questionnaire was first presented to 301 teenagers aged between 12 and 18 years in 1999; then a second inquiry based on the same questionnaire has been led in 2001. Result. - There only appears a drop, confirmed in time, of the power accorded to other peoples. The internal potential is marked by a difference between the sexes; with age boys show a higher score for internality, but girl's one decreases. Conclusion. - To enter the management of his own health, the adolescent seems have to keep distance with his environment. The feeling of responsibility is reached by an effect of contrast, most due to a lower impact of outside than a higher value attached to himself. © 2003 Elsevier SAS. Tous droits réservés