A1 Journal article (refereed)
Stability in health behavior patterns in middle adulthood : a 19-year follow-up study (2024)
Ahola, J., Kekäläinen, T., Kinnunen, M.-L., Tolvanen, A., Pitkänen, T., Pulkkinen, L., Saajanaho, M., & Kokko, K. (2024). Stability in health behavior patterns in middle adulthood : a 19-year follow-up study. Psychology and Health, Early online. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2024.2316676
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Ahola, Johanna; Kekäläinen, Tiia; Kinnunen, Marja-Liisa; Tolvanen, Asko; Pitkänen, Tuuli; Pulkkinen, Lea; Saajanaho, Milla; Kokko, Katja
Journal or series: Psychology and Health
ISSN: 0887-0446
eISSN: 1476-8321
Publication year: 2024
Publication date: 22/02/2024
Volume: Early online
Publisher: Routledge
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2024.2316676
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/93808
Abstract
Methods and Measures: Data on smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity were collected at ages 42, 50, and 61 in the Jyväskylä Longitudinal Study of Personality and Social Development (n = 205–302). Latent class, latent transition, and logistic regression analyses were used.
Results: Four similar classes of health behaviors were identified at each age. A class named low alcohol consumption (AC)–high physical activity (PA) included individuals with the lowest levels of alcohol consumption and the highest levels of physical activity, and a class named high AC–low PA vice versa. Classes between these extremes of alcohol consumption and physical activity levels were nonsmokers with the lowest proportion of smokers, and smokers vice versa. Although transitions emerged, class memberships were relatively stable. Women, those who were married, held a degree, had higher occupational status, and certain personality traits at age 42 were more likely to belong continuously to healthier classes compared to a stable membership in high AC–low PA.
Conclusion: Health behaviors exist in patterns, are relatively stable across adulthood, and associated with sociodemographic and personality characteristics.
Keywords: smoking; alcoholic beverages; physical activity; longitudinal research
Free keywords: smoking; alcohol consumption; physical activity; latent transition analysis; longitudinal study
Contributing organizations
Related projects
- Developmental Psychological Perspectives on Transitions at Age 60: Individuals Navigating Across the Lifespan
- Kokko, Katja
- Research Council of Finland
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2024
Preliminary JUFO rating: 2