Factors Related to Self-Perceived Health of Young Adults

Park, Kee Ho; Cho, Woohyun; Suh, Il; Park, Jong Ku

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To determine which factors are related to young adults perception of their health. Two research questions were asked. Which aspects of health does self-perceived health as a index of general health reflect? Why do two individuals with the same level of general health have different health perceptions?
METHODS
The sampling frame comprised college or graduate school students, aged 20 to 29, who were members of A, one of the 4 biggest internet communication services. The questionnaires were sent to study samples(n= 1,000) and answered by E-mail. Response rate was 37.0%.
RESULTS
Firstly, physical health ranked highest and self-perceived health ranked lowest. Secondly, health, anxiety, depression, and self-perceived health showed significant differences between the sexes, with women showing a higher health status in these categories except for self-perceived health. Thirdly, the two factors significantly related to self-perceived health were physical health and self-esteem, as determined by multivariate analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
The factors significantly related to self-perceived health were physical health and self-esteem. Further studies of the health characteristics of young adults are needed.