Abstract
In many rural areas in Kentucky, adolescents lack the basic assets for a good quality of life, such as having caring adults, a safe place and useful activities after school. Methods: Analysis of data from middle and high school students referred to a comprehensive school based health promotion center (SBHPC). Results: From august 2006 to February 2008, a total of 382 students (200 female, 182 male, aged 12-18 years) were referred to the SBHPC for help. Only two (0.5%) students had two parents living with them and 12 (3.1%) had safe, organized after school activities. 19.9% of the total were suicidal, 27.2% used drugs, 44% smoked, 26.7% used alcohol, 45% were depressed, 29.3% had conduct problems, 37.4% had school problems, 43% were overweight, 50% lacked safety procedures (seat belts, access to guns) and 17.5% had other mental health problems. Conclusions: Poor quality of life is a major factor leading to negative outcomes in rural adolescents.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-2009
Repository Citation
Omar, Hatim A.; Ventegodt, Søren; and Merrick, Joav, "Impact of Poor Quality of Life on Adolescents in Rural Kentucky: A Brief Report" (2009). Pediatrics Faculty Publications. 255.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/pediatrics_facpub/255
Included in
Education Commons, Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, Pediatrics Commons, Rural Sociology Commons
Notes/Citation Information
Published in International Journal of Child Health and Human Development, v. 2, issue 2, article 13, p. 203-205.
© 2009 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
The copyright holder has granted permission for posting the article here.
Reprinted as a book chapter in Child Health and Human Development Yearbook 2009. Joav Merrick, (Ed.). p. 229-232.
Reprinted as a book chapter in Rural Child Health: International Aspects. Erica Bell, & Joav Merrick, (Eds.). p. 1-4.