Abstract
Purpose
To examine the relationship between role model presence, type of role model, and various
health-risk and health-protective behaviors among California adolescents.
Methods
We used cross-sectional data on 4,010 multiethnic adolescents aged 12–17 years from
the 2003 California Health Interview Survey, a population-based random-digit dial
telephone survey of more than 40,000 California households. The survey, conducted
every other year since 2001, collects extensive demographic, health, and health-related
information.
Results
Fifty-nine percent of adolescents identified a role model. Affluent teens were more
likely to have a role model than lower income teens. Role models were generally of
the same ethnicity and gender as the teens; ethnic congruence was higher among African
Americans and whites than Latinos and Asians; gender congruence was higher among males.
Type of role model was significantly associated with health-related behaviors. Identification
of a teacher was strongly associated with positive health behaviors. Correlations
with health-promoting behaviors were generally smaller in magnitude but consistently
positive among family member and athlete role models. Peer or entertainer role models
were associated with health-risk behaviors.
Conclusion
Not only role model presence but also the type of role model is an important predictor
of adolescent health-related behaviors. Our findings have implications for designing
youth targeted interventions and policies involving role models.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 26, 2010
Accepted:
February 12,
2010
Received:
November 18,
2009
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
