LIFESTYLE BEHAVIORS AND SELF-CONCEPT: A COMPARATIVE STUDY IN ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

Dina M. Alves, Luís M. Almeida, e Helder M. Fernandes

The present study aimed to compare the different dimensions of self-concept of adolescents according to diverse type of health behaviors (physical exercise, nutrition, alcohol and tobacco consumption). A sample of 537 students (49% male) with a mean age of 14.66 ± 1.90 years completed the "Inventory of Health-related Behaviors of Adolescents" (Corte-Real et al., 2004) and a Portuguese version of the Self-Description Questionnaire II (Marsh, 1990). The main results showed that: i) there is a greater number of adolescents adopting behaviors beneficial to their health when compared with adolescents who adopt risky health behaviors; and ii) the adoption of health behaviors in terms of physical exercise, nutrition, and alcohol and tobacco consumption promote different dimensions of the academic and non-academic self-concept in adolescents.