Understanding adolescent health risk behaviour and socioeconomic position: A grounded theory study of UK young adults.

ABSTRACT: Health risk behaviours such as tobacco smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, drug use, unhealthy diet and unprotected sexual intercourse contribute to the global burden of non-communicable diseases and are often initiated in adolescence. An individualistic focus on 'health risk behaviours' has resulted in behaviour change strategies that are potentially ineffective and increase inequalities. We conducted a grounded theory study of 25 young adults to increase the limited qualitative evidence base surrounding young people, health risk behaviours and socioeconomic inequalities. We found that health risk behaviours were perceived as class markers, manifesting as class stigma, leading some participants from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to employ strategies to avoid such behaviours. Peers a

SUBMITTER: Tinner L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8168338 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature