Social dynamics of health behavior among adolescents
research areas
timeframe
2018 - 2022
contact
th.friemel@ikmz.uzh.ch
Social dynamics of health behavior among adolescents
Growing up in today’s society is influenced by mediated communication more than ever. This effects also health behavior such as tobacco and alcohol use. We therefore investigate the social dynamics among adolescents (on- and offline) to assess the impact of social media on adolescent’s health behavior.
The project is partially financed by the Swiss Tobacco Control Fund (c/o Federal Office of Public Health) and will support the development of future prevention strategies in order to increase public health. We conduct a survey with three waves in four high schools and one vocational school (AG/ZH) in 59 classes with 1304 first grade students. Furthermore, we will realise a network analysis and a multilevel analysis.
Background
Growing up in today’s society is influenced by mediated communication more than ever. This also effects health behavior such as tobacco and alcohol use.
Research Questions
Investigation of the social dynamics among adolescents (on- and offline) to assess the impact of social media on adolescent’s health behavior (tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, e-cigarettes).
Project Aim
The aim is to explain health behavior and the emergence of health related perceptions, clarify the role of both the social and media environment as well as provide evidence based implications for prevention and intervention efforts.