The association of family structure with health behavior, mental health, and perceived academic achievement among adolescents: a 2018 Korean nationally representative survey

Abstract

Background: Adolescence is a period during which physical, social, and mental abilities are rapidly developed, and during this time the family environment plays an important role. Differences in health behaviors, mental health, and academic achievement by family structure may affect future families, income, and employment. The purpose of the study was to investigate the association of family structure with health behaviors, mental health, and academic achievement in Korean adolescents. Method: Data from the 2018 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey were analyzed. The study sample was comprised of 59,096 adolescents. Logistic regression, t-tests, and a variance analysis of a complex sample general linear model were used to examine the association of family structure with health behaviors, mental health, and academic achievement. The significance level was set at P < 0.05. Results: Non-intact families (single-mother families, single-father families, and restructured families) had significantly higher odds of smoking a cigarette, drinking a sip of alcohol, internet use, physical activity, and sexual experience, and mental health issues such as depression, suicidal ideation, perceived stress, and poor perceived health status than intact families (two-parent families). Also, non-intact families were significantly related to low perceived academic achievement compared to intact ones. Conclusion: This study showed that family structure is a significant factor in adolescent health behavior, mental health, and perceived academic achievement. Adolescents who experience a transition in their family structure may be more vulnerable to health risks and exhibit lower academic achievement than those in an intact family.

Personal Profiles, Family Environment, Patterns of Smartphone Use, Nomophobia, and Smartphone Addiction across Low, Average, and High Perceived Academic Performance Levels among High School Students in the Philippines

“…With regards to academic performance, it was found that having a strong family background and good education facilities could help enhance students’ performance [ 49 ]. Furthermore, parents’ educational background was also found to be associated with students’ academic performance [ 50 ], and broken families were significantly associated with lower academic achievement; these findings suggest that family structure is a significant factor in adolescents’ perceived academic performance (PAP) [ 51 ]. In addition, family size was found to be associated with low academic performance among students and with parents from low income households who struggle to pay school fees [ 49 ].…”

Health Literacy and Personality Traits in Two Types of Family Structure—A Cross-Sectional Study in China

“…Additionally, the family atmosphere could be more harmonious by exercising together. A previous study demonstrated that adolescents from a single-parent family may have remarkably higher odds of risky health behaviors (e.g., smoking and high alcohol consumption) and mental health issues (e.g., depression and suicidal ideation) ( Park and Lee, 2020 ). Parents who scored higher on extraversion were related to positive emotional expressions interacting with children, and providing a more intimate environment and cultivating health behaviors ( Prinzie et al, 2009 ).…”

“…Parents with high conscientiousness and health literacy always obey the norms and exhort their children not to smoke. However, parents may pay less attention to their children who are more likely to be exposed to the risk of poor health behavior and mental health in a single-parent family ( Park and Lee, 2020 ).…”

Associations Between Secondhand Smoke and Mental Health in Korean Adolescents

“…This result is consistent with previous studies showing that mental health problems such as stress, anxiety, and depression were higher in smokers than in nonsmokers. 33,34 Furthermore, secondhand smoke exposure was also associated with poor mental health according to a stratified analysis of smoking status. In previous studies, secondhand smoke exposure was associated to sleep problems (insomnia or caused by psychosocial stress), 35,36 depression, 10,37 and planned or attempted suicide.…”

“…This result is consistent with previous studies showing that mental health problems such as stress, anxiety, and depression were higher in smokers than in nonsmokers. 33,34…”