Psychosocial school environment and health risk behaviours of adolescents in Bulgaria: results from multilevel analysis

Elitsa Dimitrova (), Tatyana Kotzeva and Anna Alexandrova-Karamanova
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Elitsa Dimitrova: Institute for Population and Human Studies at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
Tatyana Kotzeva: Institute for Population and Human Studies at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
Anna Alexandrova-Karamanova: Institute for Population and Human Studies at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

International Journal of Public Health, 2020, vol. 65, issue 8, No 15, 1344 pages

Abstract: Abstract Objectives The paper aims to study the relationships between psychosocial school environment and health risk behaviours (cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, drunkenness, bullying perpetration and early start of sexual life) in a representative sample of Bulgarian adolescents. Methods We apply multilevel analysis, using data from the Bulgarian 2017/2018 “Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC)” Study. Results There is a significant variation between schools in Bulgaria in the proportions of students who smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, get drunk and have an early start of sexual life. Lower school satisfaction is significantly associated with higher odds of smoking and drunkenness. The effect of school pressure differs for smoking and bullying perpetration. The effect of student support also differs for certain types of health risk behaviours. Higher student support is positively associated with frequent alcohol consumption and drunkenness. The relationship between teacher support and alcohol abuse is negative. Conclusions There is a significant association between characteristics of psychosocial school environment and Bulgarian adolescents’ risk health behaviours (cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, drunkenness, bullying perpetration). Comprehensive and effective health promotion policies in Bulgarian schools are needed in order to facilitate healthy lifestyles.

Keywords: Cigarette smoking; Alcohol consumption; Drunkenness; Bullying perpetration; Early start of sexual life; Psychosocial school environment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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DOI: 10.1007/s00038-020-01482-4

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