Life control among young men in view of their childhood and adolescence.

Abstract

The analysis of life control and its development is an issue of central concern to modern health research. This article discusses longitudinal questionnaire data in an attempt to identify factors that predict young men's life control in early childhood and adolescence. No factors in the childhood family background predicted strong life control in adulthood. A positive development in the family's social situation showed a positive association with life control in adulthood. Poor school performance and unhealthy habits in adolescence were associated with poor life control in adulthood. According to a regression analysis, the following factors predicted a strong life control in adulthood: regular physical exercise, positive changes in the family's social situation, no school class repeats, no experimentation with intoxicants in adolescence, admission into intermediate level of education, and no smoking in adolescence. It is crucially important for purposes of health promotion to identify factors which predict life control in adulthood. By helping adolescents to achieve life control, we are also helping them to cope with developmental tasks and therefore to promote their health.