ASSOCIATION BETWEEN HEALTH-RELATED BEHAVIOURS AND WELL-BEING IN SECONDARY STUDENTS

Shikhah Almayobed* and Andrew P. Smith

ABSTRACT

Background: There has been extensive research on the associations between health-related behaviours and well-being. The present study continued this approach using the Well-being Process approach, the Diet and Behaviour Scale and a sample of secondary school students. Methods: Two hundred students completed an online survey, which included the Short-Form Well-being Process Questionnaire, the Short-Form Strengths and Difficulties Scale, and the Short-Form Diet and Behaviour Scale. Results: Many associations were observed in univariate analyses; however, many became non-significant when the established well-being predictors were covaried. The results confirmed the effects of the well-being process predictors and showed that a combined effects variable was the strongest predictor. In the multivariate analyses, coffee was associated with negative well-being. Breakfast consumption was associated with greater flourishing and less hyperactivity. Fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with greater prosocial behaviour and better physical health. Energy drink consumption was associated with lower positive well-being. Conclusion: The present study confirmed the effects of established well-being predictors, both individually and in combination. Many effects of health-related behaviours were observed in univariate analyses, but many were not significant in multivariate analyses. Associations with coffee, breakfast, fruit/vegetables and energy drink consumption were observed. Longitudinal research is now required as the effects of diet could reflect reverse causality.

Keywords: Well-being; Strengths and Difficulties; Diet; Exercise; Sleep; Secondary School Students.D