Relationship between adolescent lifestyle and emotional and behavioral problems

Abstract

This study aimed at verifying the relationship between lifestyle and emotional and behavioral problems in adolescents. This is an observational and cross-sectional study developed with adolescents from a capital city in the Brazilian Amazon. Data collection was performed using an electronic form containing items from the Fantastic Lifestyle and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire instruments. For data analysis, the bootstrap t-Test and calculation of Cohen's d statistic value were performed to assess the effect size of the difference between means. A total of 479 adolescents participated in the study. There was a high relationship between emotional and behavioral problems and lifestyle (p < 0.01; d = 1.36), especially regarding emotional problems (p < 0.01; d = 1.09), hyperactivity (p < 0.01; d = 0.92) and peer problems (p < 0.01; d = 0.78). The lifestyle attributes that were highly related to emotional and behavioral problems were insight (p < 0.01; d = 1.30), sleep, seatbelt, stress and safe sex (p < 0.01; d = 0.93), type of behavior (p < 0.01; d = 0.86) and career (p < 0.01; d = 0.85). It is therefore concluded that there was a high relationship between lifestyle and emotional and behavioral problems among the adolescents surveyed. Thus, it becomes necessary to promote socio-emotional skills and restorative and health-protective lifestyles in this population.