HSC+Option+3+The+Health+of+Young+People

What is good health for young people?
// Transition from childhood to adulthood: //
 * __ The nature of young people’s lives __**

- This phase of life is characterised by many learning experiences - Changes can be classified as physical, social, emotional spiritual and cognitive - Can lead to mood swings, desire to be independent and feelings of no control - Can be a ‘danger zone’ as behaviour during this transition can affect later life - However, young people today have a better understanding of their health -Health issues of young people can challenge and impact on parents, teachers and health professionals -Most young people assume personal responsibility for their well being, are motivated to maintian fitness, and develop a positive sense of self

// Diverse in terms of developmental stage, motivations, values, socio-cultural background, influence of family //

- Developmental stage = young people experience periods of development at different times and rates. Physical maturity is not an indicator of cognitive maturity - Motivations and values = vary from individual depending on personal circumstances. Also influenced by mental maturity - Socio-cultural background = this can affect customs, beliefs and traditions. Can lead to youth subcultures which develop due to similar opinions - Family influence = family is regarded as a protective structure. Not as traditional in modern society; now expanded to include long working hours, single parent households, etc. This leads to differing opinions of ‘family life.’ -Peer groups play significant roles as young people reject the values of their family and adopt those of their peers, health compromising behaviour can emerge- such as drug abuse, physical inactivity, and poor nutritional habits.

// Influenced by a range of prevailing youth cultures: // - Interactions with different and varied members of society contributes to the development of an individual’s persona - An individual will then identify themselves with a particular culture within society where they feel accepted and comfortable à contributes to self esteem/confidence and self worth - These cultures impact on the chosen trends and behaviours à clothing, hairstyle, make-up, risks (e.g. smoking, drugs etc) - Act as a means to expressing themself à portray opinions, ideas, personality and beliefs - Examples include [|rockers], [|punks] , [|grungers] , [|ravers] , [|rappers] - Depend heavily on technology for communication à MSN, SMS, Facebook, Myspace etc - Online culture through means such as Bebo (12-13 year olds) Myspace (14-15) Facebook (16+) moving through each as the individual ‘matures’ technologically // Influenced by global events and trends: // - The images displayed in through technology influence an individual’s perceptions of events, products and trends à persuade or discourage them to purchase the item, participate in the activity, follow the trend or harbour feelings/beliefs - Corporations such as Cadbury and McDonalds utilise a variety of media outlets and saturate the market with their image, influencing consumer choice. Retail giants also align their products with celebrities à implies that popularity will result from purchasing the product or following that particular behaviour

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Perceptions of young people by other populations // - Sociological studies show that the social meanings in Australia are a negative towards young people - They are seen to abuse drugs and alcohol, drive dangerously and due to economic circumstances they are happily unemployed. - It is categorised as a time of disruption, rebellion and alienation - Those from NESB are shown in a more negative light and are portrayed to be drug dealers, thieves, violent and gang members. - Stereotypes of many youth individuals (e.g. ‘westies’, ATSI) depict these people as violent, alcoholics and failures - Police views: Assist the community (+) Unpredictable (-) - Teacher’s views: Full of potential (+) Noisy (-) - Parents views: Loving (+) Untidy (-) - The ways that they cope with these issues impacts on their health status - These adult perceptions may have been gained from images, presented in books, magazines, movies, or interactions with young people

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 * __ Developmental aspects that impact on the health of young people __**

-Young people are generally accepted to be between 12 and 24 years old -Progress through a series of social and emotional 'growth tasks' these characterise the transition from childhood to adulthood media type="youtube" key="arPLIwIV5O0" height="340" width="560" //**Revising roles with relationships** -Age dictates the increases in responsibility// -Roles conflict arises when adolescents seek greater independence and more equal balance of power in the relationship with their parents -Seeking loving relationships beyond the family which is the increased desire to be with the opposite sex or in some cases the same sex

//**Clarifying Self-Identity**// -young people need to establish a strong and positive sense of self in order to achieve good health -they base their description of themselves on markers such as age, gender, sexuality, SES, job/interests, religion, location, ethnicity -self-identity is considered dynamic as it changes over time according to experiences and choices -to assist in forming their identity, young people form various relationships to communicate their fears and concerns; self-identity is also influenced by societal norms, values and beliefs -the transitional experience can be positive if young people grow and discover their strengths but negative if they devalue their personal worth and fail to access support network -Forming close relationships with a variety of people helps them to learn to communicate their fears and concerns openly; also to assist them in answering these certain thoughts e.g who they are, what their good at, what they believe in, and where they fit in.

<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol;">· Personal support structures give assistance in times of stress or trauma <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol;">· Family and friends provide strongest support, offer advice and guidance regarding issues of concern <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol;">· Good personal support structures <span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 13pt; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings; msoasciifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msohansifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msochartype: symbol; msosymbolfontfamily: Wingdings;">à communication, trust, mutual respect, shared responsibility <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 13pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol;">· ** Example- Family as a support structure ** - __ Financially: __ setting up a flat, helping with credit card debt, supporting further education costs - __ Emotionally: __ giving support when there is breakdown in a relationship, providing love and encouragement - __ Physically __ providing basic needs= food, accommodation, care during illness - __ Mentally: __ helping young person with stress from exams, reassurance they are capable - Adolescence= time to test and establish boundaries in order to learn what is and isn’t accepted - Time to establish standards of behaviour that may enhance or negatively impact on health - ** Example: ** drinking and driving, engaging in unprotected sex  <span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 13pt; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings; msoasciifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msohansifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msochartype: symbol; msosymbolfontfamily: Wingdings;">à  lead to long term health consequences such as injury, disability and stress related disorders - Families, schools and laws set boundaries for young to protect them
 * __ Establishing personal support structures __**
 * __ Determining behavioural boundaries  __**

=__Social factors that impact on the health of young people__=

Social Factors

<span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">Do Australia's young people enjoy good health?

 * Epidemiology of the health of young people

− patterns of morbidity and mortality − comparisons of health status with that of other populations throughout the life span <span style="line-height: 19px; color: rgb(0,0,0); font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;"> - exposure to risk factors for degenerative disease

Risk Taking and Road Related Injuries

Body Image

Resources
http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10451 http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10653