Health Behavior and Mental Health of Adolescents in Multicultural Families Compared to Non-multicultural Families

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to compare the health behaviors and mental health of adolescents from multicultural and non-multicultural families, and to determine the effect of multicultural families on adolescents' health behaviors and mental health. Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional design, utilizing data from the Korea Youth Risk Behaviour Web-based Survey 2020 and 2021. The sample comprised 9,828 multicultural adolescents and 13,389 non-multicultural adolescents. Results: Adolescents from multicultural families showed significant differences in their experiences with alcohol (x2=9.55) and substance use (x2=11.37), as well as suicidal ideation (x2=4.57) and suicidal attempts (x2=34.19), compared to their non-multicultural peers. Logistic regression analysis revealed that adolescents from multicultural families had a 1.19 times higher rate of recent alcohol experience, a 1.14 times higher rate of stress, and a 1.55 times higher rate of suicidal attempts. However, the rates of smoking and alcohol use were 0.80 times and 0.75 times lower, respectively, among adolescents from multicultural families compared to their non-multicultural peers. Conclusion: The findings suggest that health promotion programs are needed to help adolescents from multicultural families adapt socially, cultivate preventive health behaviors, and improve their mental health. These interventions should take a multifaceted approach that encourages family participation in the programs.