Placement of health control and self-assessment of higher secondary schools pupils

Introduction. Health is a prerequisite for school success and good quality of life. Young people in Poland show little interest in their health, its protection and strengthening. Achieving the desired changes in behaviour depends on creating conditions for implementing health behaviours, including reawakening of consciousness and developing skills in caring for one’s own health.

Aim of the study. The aim of this study was to analyze the scope of control over individual’s own health, as well as to self-evaluate health, and indicate interrelationships between the KIDSCREEN dimensions and categories measured with the MHLC scales in secondary school adolescents, depending on their gender.

Material and methods. The study was conducted on a representative group of higher secondary schools pupils. In total, the study involved 588 people: 317 girls and 271 boys, aged 16.6 to 18.The standardised tool: Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC), KIDSCREEN-52 was used in the study.

Results. On the basis of the data obtained in the study it was found that the most dependencies exist between Health Related Quality of Life dimensions and the intrinsic health control as well as health control dependent on the influence of other people.

Conclusions. Awareness of control over health is associated with higher Health Related Quality of Life assessment, which may significantly affect the preferences of health behaviour and, in consequence, the health of children and young people now and in the future.

Nursing Topics 2014; 22 (4): 445–452