Factors associated with adolescent participation in a cardiovascular risk factor assessment program

A Student Attitude Survey was administered to high school seniors to determine attitudinal and behavioral factors associated with participation in a longitudinal cardiovascular risk factor screening program. Health beliefs, attitudes, and practices were assessed as were altruism, social skills, self-concept, conformity, and academic class standing. Male participants showed higher self-concept scores than non participants. Black participants were younger than black nonparticipants and black participants also showed greater perceived control over their health and more optimistic appraisals of the worth of medical research and practice. White male participants tended to be more likely to remain home from school or to see a doctor when ill. These observations suggest that attitudinal and behavioral factors related to participation in a health-related program can be assessed in childhood.