Health

Factor

Description

Impact on Adolescent Health Behaviors

Cultural Beliefs and Practices

Cultural beliefs encompass traditions, customs, religious beliefs, and values that are prevalent in a community or society. Practices relate to how these beliefs are acted upon.

Adolescents' health behaviors can be influenced by cultural expectations regarding diet, physical activity, substance use, and health care. For example, some cultures prioritize physical health through diet and exercise, while others might have more relaxed attitudes toward these areas. In some cases, cultural stigmas around mental health can affect adolescents' willingness to seek help.

Family

Family includes parents, siblings, and other close relatives. Family structure, parenting styles, and family dynamics are part of this factor.

Family can impact adolescent health behaviors through role modelling, communication, support, and discipline. Positive family environments often lead to healthier choices, while high-conflict or dysfunctional families can lead to increased risk-taking behaviors. Parental expectations and involvement in adolescents' lives can shape their lifestyle choices, from diet to social activities.

Societal Norms

Societal norms are the unwritten rules and expectations that guide behavior within a community or society.

Societal norms dictate what is considered acceptable behavior, influencing adolescents' choices. For instance, societies that promote physical fitness may lead to increased physical activity among adolescents, while societies that normalise drug or alcohol use can increase risky behaviors. Societal pressures can also influence career choices, educational pursuits, and social relationships.

Stereotypes and Expectations

Stereotypes are oversimplified ideas about groups of people, while expectations refer to assumptions about how people should behave based on these stereotypes.

Stereotypes and expectations can lead to pressures on adolescents to conform to specific roles or behaviors. Gender stereotypes might influence which sports or academic subjects’ adolescents pursue. Expectations about masculinity or femininity can affect emotional expression and mental wellbeing. Stereotypes about race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status can limit opportunities and influence self-worth.

The Media

The media encompasses television, movies, music, social media, and other forms of communication and entertainment.

Media can have both positive and negative influences on adolescent health behaviors. Positive portrayals of diversity and healthy lifestyles can encourage good habits. However, media can also promote unrealistic body images, risk taking behaviors like drug use or violence, and materialistic values. Social media can impact self-esteem, peer relationships, and increase exposure to harmful content.

Body Image

Body image refers to an individual's perception of their physical appearance and how they feel about their body.

Body image can significantly affect adolescents' health behaviors, including diet, exercise, and mental wellbeing. A negative body image can lead to disordered eating, excessive exercise, or mental health issues like depression and anxiety. A positive body image can promote healthier lifestyle choices and increased self-confidence. Societal and media influences often shape body image perceptions.

#

Way to Show Respect

Description

Examples/Tips

1

Practice Active Listening

Demonstrate that you value what others say by actively listening to them. Active listening shows that you are paying attention and value their ideas and opinion.

Ways to Practice:

Use eye contact, ask questions, summarize what is being said.

2

Look for Common Ground

Find something that you share with others, such as a shared experience or value. This helps to build connections and respect among people.

Tip:

When speaking with someone, ask open-ended questions to discover commonalities.

3

Seek to Understand Others

Use situations, especially those involving conflict, as opportunities to learn about others' perspectives. This approach can lead to deeper understanding and respect.

Tip:

Instead of defending your opinion, ask about the basis of the other person's perspective.

4

Show Empathy for Differences

Even if you don't relate to someone's perspective, respect their right to have it. Recognize that everyone has a different background and experiences that shape their views.

Tip:

Acknowledge the validity of others' perspectives, even if you don't agree.

5

Serve Others

Serving others is a way to give back and improve their lives. This can be through simple acts of kindness or larger gestures.

Example:

Volunteer in your community or help a friend with a task they find difficult.

6

Apologize When You're Wrong

Admit mistakes and apologize. This shows empathy, care, and recognition of errors, helping to rebuild respect after a misstep.

Tip:

If you make a mistake, don't try to cover it up. A simple "I'm sorry" can go a long way.

7

Be Polite

Being polite is about interacting positively with others. It requires minimal effort but can have a significant impact on how others perceive you.

Examples:

Say "please" and "thank you," hold doors for others, use courteous language.

8

Show Gratitude

Showing gratitude is deeper than simple politeness; it's about expressing sincere appreciation for others. This demonstrates that you value their contributions and efforts.

Example:

Write thank-you notes or express appreciation verbally with genuine warmth.

#

Refusal Skill

Why It Works

Tips/Examples

1

Just say no.

A confident, simple “no” says that the conversation is over.

Tip:

Make eye contact and use a clear voice to sound confident even if you're uncomfortable.

2

Suggest an alternative activity.

Offering an alternative tells the person you still want to spend time with them, but in a way that you're comfortable with.

Example: “No thanks. Actually, let's get some food. I'm starving.”

3

Leave the situation.

Once you're out of the situation, the pressure decreases. This gives you time to figure out your next steps.

Examples:  Leave the conversation, leave the room, or leave the location. 

Tip:

Create a safety codeword to send to a parent or trusted adult, so they can come to pick you up.

4

Reverse the pressure.

Reversing the pressure gives you more control over the situation.

Examples: 

"If you love me, you'll do this." Response: "If you love me, you won't pressure me to."

 "Just try it once. If you hate it, I won't ask again." Response: "No. Why would I do something I'm going to hate?"

5

Use humor.

A joke or a lighthearted comment can lift the tension.

Examples: 

"If I smoke, I'll smell as bad as you."

"I'm fun already. I don't need that."

6

Ignore the offer.

No response sends a message that you're not interested.

Examples: 

Don't reply to a text or acknowledge the offer. Continue talking or hanging out as if it never happened.

7

Give an excuse.

Excuses give the person an explanation for why you're saying no.

Examples: 

"No thanks. I always get a headache when I'm around cigarette smoke."

"You know I'm a terrible liar. If my parents ask, we will get caught."

8

Pass the blame.

When you pass the blame, you don't have to defend yourself or your choice.

Example: 

"Are you trying to get rid of me? My parents would never let us hang out again."

9

Pull in help.

Bringing in other people reverses the peer pressure.

Example: 

"Hey guys, help me out. I told him 'no,' but he won't leave me alone."

10

Change the subject.

Changing the topic sends a message that your mind is made up.

Example: 

"No thanks. Hey, how did you like that movie?"

Category

Example

Accept responsibility

Admit your own role in the problem and try to put things right:

 • Say that you know that your parents are only concerned about your safety and that you shouldn’t have yelled at them for not letting you go to the party and do the dishes for the next week.

Positive appraisal

You reflect on the problem and try to create a positive meaning by focusing on personal growth:

• Say things like – This is something I can learn from and become a better person.

Self-control

You apply effort to control your feelings and actions:

• Not telling your parents what you think of them when they won’t let you go to the party

Distraction / Distancing

Keep yourself busy to take your mind off the issue.

Think about other things rather than your problem to try and make it seem less important:

Say things like –

It’s doesn’t matter. The party was probably stupid anyway.

I’m too angry now. I’ll think about it again when I’ve calmed down.

Praying for guidance and strength / Meditation

Acknowledging problems

Mindfulness

Emotional disclosure / Seek social support

Involves expressing strong emotions by talking or writing about the negative events

You make an effort and seek informational support, material support and emotional support:

 • Talk to someone you trust and tell them how you are feeling.

• Call a helpline and talk to a counsellor.

• Say – I’ve done something stupid and feel really bad. I need your help

Problem solving

Work how best to change the situation by focusing on the problem rather than your feelings.

Time Management

The process of organising and planning how to divide your time between different activities. Work smarter, not harder.

Category

Example

Self Harm

Over-eating

Self-Mutilation

Excessive exercising

Drugs &/or Alcohol

Excessive alcohol use

Use of stimulants or sedatives

Distancing

Avoiding problems/Denial

Think about other things to make the event seem less important

Excessive working

Confrontational

Acting aggressively to try to alter the situation.

This is letting feelings control the situation and could negatively affect the relationship between myself and others.

Escape or avoid

Pretend your problem doesn’t exist.

Ignoring or storing hurt feelings