2034 - HEALTH BEHAVIOUR PROFILES AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH SOCIAL DETERMINANTS DURING ADOLESCENCE IN ITALY: A PERSON-CENTERED APPROACH

Session: D08S005 - Child and Adolescent Health 2
AUTHORS:
Ghelfi Michela (University of Milano-Bicocca, Psychology Department ~ Milano ~ Italy) , Guerini Jessica (University of Milano-Bicocca, Psychology Department ~ Milano ~ Italy) , Hbsc Lombardy Committee 2022 (DG Welfare, Lombardy Region ~ Milan ~ Italy) , Velasco Veronica (University of Milano-Bicocca, Psychology Department ~ Milano ~ Italy)
Abstract text:
Introduction: To improve health outcomes for young people, it is essential to research their lifestyle, health behaviours, and social determinants. This is particularly important during adolescence, which is a critical period for growth. Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) is a wide cross-national research study involving around 50 countries, representing a key source for this aim. In Italy, HBSC research is carried out in collaboration with the Lombardy Region and the regional school office.


Purpose: This study aims to: i) identify profiles of 15-year-old Italian students based on different health behaviours through a person-centered perspective; ii) understand how these subgroups are associated with sociodemographic, relational, and contextual variables; iii) compare the results from a previous study conducted in Italy on HBSC 2014 data.


Method: A representative sample of 15-year-old students (N=4,272) of the Lombardy region (Italy) was collected in 2022 through the HBSC survey. The participants were 45.5% female; 93.3% were born in Italy, and 45.5% attended a Lyceum. The Latent Class Analysis approach was used to identify profiles in the current sample based on health behavior indicators. The two-step approach was performed to investigate the association between the profiles and covariates.


Results: The four clusters identified in 2014 were partially confirmed, but a more varied and multifaceted scenario has now emerged. Physical activities and substance use indicators were those that best distinguished the students' profiles. Six different profiles were identified: active nonusers (42.3%), passive nonusers (19.6%), active recreational users (16.5%), active excessive users (10.4%), inactive users (5.7%), and media lovers (5.5%). Interesting associations emerged between the profiles and variables relating to family and friend relationships, the school environment, and perceived physical and psychosocial health conditions.


Conclusions: The identification of these profiles could be useful in planning tailored preventive interventions in accordance with the specific risk and protective factors identified.