Identifying health-seeking behaviors: a study of adolescents

While it is known that health-seeking behaviors are influenced by information-seeking behaviors, reported research on adolescents' information-seeking behaviors is minimal. Available definitive information primarily addresses ways in which peers, parents, and health professionals are used as sources of information concerning sexuality. Research is now needed on how adolescents use the media and other sources of health information to effect changes in their lives. The present study sought to determine how adolescents' health-seeking behaviors, which include self-management and information-seeking behaviors, differ according to age, race, socioeconomic status, gender, and religion. The study was based on two assumptions: Self-management and information-seeking behaviors are fundamental to adolescents' health-seeking behaviors, and subjects answer self-management and information-seeking questions in terms of past behaviors and their behavioral intent. Important findings that emerged from this investigation include confirmation of gender as a differentiating variable for the performance of information-seeking behavior and positive health behaviors among black adolescents. Further, subjects reported an overall positive composite of health-seeking behaviors.