Association between locus of control and health risk behaviors among college students

Abstract

Objective To explore the prevalence of health risk behaviors and the association between locus of control and health risk behaviors among college students, and to provide reference for the formulation of health risk behavior intervention for college students.

Methods A multi-stage cluster random sampling method was used to select 2 provinces from the east, central and west regions of China, respectively. Two universities were then randomly selected from each selected province. A total of 3 951 college students from 12 universities completed the electronic and anonymous questionnaires, which included demographic characteristics, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Questionnaire (MHLC) and Health Risk Behaviors Questionnaire. Chi-square test and binary Logistic regression were applied to analyze data.

Results Totally 2 287(57.88%) students reported having three or more kinds of health risk behaviors. The prevalence of excessive screen time, insufficient physical exercise, poor eating behaviors, drinking and smoking were 97.34% (3 846), 74.72% (2 952), 72.21% (2 853), 13.62% (538) and 5.57% (220). Internal locus of control was associated with lower risk of three or more kinds of health risk behavior ( OR = 0.98) and inadequate physical activity ( OR = 0.93) and associated with higher risk of smoking ( OR = 1.07). The powerful others was associated with lower risk of three or more kinds of health risk behavior ( OR = 0.98), drinking ( OR = 0.95) and unhealthy eating behavior ( OR = 0.97). And the chance was associated with higher risk of three or more kinds of health risk behavior ( OR = 1.04), drinking ( OR = 1.04) and inadequate physical activity ( OR = 1.03) ( P<0.01).

Conclusion College students have serious health risk behavior problems, the locus of control is associated with health risk behaviors among college students. Which might be helpful to prevent the occurrence of health risk behaviors, and improve overall health of college students.

Abstract

【摘要】 目的 探索心理控制源对大学生健康危险行为的影响, 为制定大学生健康危险行为干预措施提供参考依据。 方法 采用多阶段整群随机抽样方法, 从中国东部、中部和西部地区分别随机抽取 2 个省份, 每个省份随机抽取 2 所髙校, 对 来自 12 所髙校的 3 951 名大学生完成在线匿名调査, 内容包括人口学特征、心理控制源量表和大学生健康危险行为问卷。采用 χ ² 检验、二元 Logistic 回归等统计方法进行数据分析。 结果 在调査的大学生中, 2 287 名 (57.88%) 同时有 3 种及以 上健康危险行为, 其中视屏时间较长、体育锻炼不足、不良饮食行为、饮酒和吸烟的学生分别有 3 846 (97.34%), 2 952 (74.72%), 2 853 (72.21%), 538 (13.62%) 和 220 名 (5.57%)。心理控制源内控性能降低大学生同时有 3 种及以上健康危 险行为 ( OR = 0.98) 和体育锻炼不足 ( OR = 0.93) 的发生风险, 增加吸烟行为的发生风险 ( OR = 1.07); 有势力的他人能降低 大学生同时有 3 种及以上健康危险行为 ( OR = 0.98)、饮酒 ( OR = 0.95) 和不良饮食行为 ( OR = 0.97) 的发生风险;机遇能增 加大学生同时有 3 种及以上健康危险行为 ( OR =1.04)、饮酒 ( OR =1.04) 和体育锻炼不足 ( OR = 1.03) 的发生风险 ( P 值均<0.01)。 结论 大学生健康危险行为问题较为严重, 心理控制源是影响大学生健康危险行为的重要因素。根据不同健康危 险行为控制相应的心理控制源, 能够有效预防健康危险行为的发生, 促进大学生健康成长。