On the structure and dimensionality of health-related behaviour in adolescents

Abstract

The structure of interrelations among different health-related behaviors was studied in a sample of Norwegian adolescents. Whereas some studies have suggested that health-related behavior is uni-dimensional, other studies have supported the notion of multi-dimensionality, and most recently, bi-dimensionality. A multiple level, hierarchical factor model was developed through the combined use of exploratory and confirmatory (Lisrel) analysis. On the first-order level a multi-dimensional model was extracted. On the second-order level, three more general dimensions appeared: 'High-action', ‘Addiction’ and ‘Protection’. Finally, at the third-order level a single bi-polar dimension was found, differentiating between health-enhancing and health-threatening behavior. A comprehensive hierarchical model, including first-, second-and third-order factors yielded good fit to the data. The results suggest that health-related behavior can be conceptualised as concurrently multidimensional, few-dimensional and uni-dimensional. Further, through the aggregation of increasingly broader classes of behavior, increasingly more general behaviour dispositions can be identified. Methodologically, the results suggest a general potential for higher-order factor models.