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Modelling Health in University Students: Are Young Women More Complicated Than Men?

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  • Éva Bíró

    (Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary)

  • Sándor Kovács

    (Department of Economical and Financial Mathematics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Institute of Statistics and Research Methodology, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary)

  • Ilona Veres-Balajti

    (Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Public Health, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary)

  • Róza Ádány

    (Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
    MTA-DE Public Health Research Group, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary)

  • Karolina Kósa

    (Department of Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary)

Abstract

The biopsychosocial model of health in a limited life course perspective was tested among students in higher education using data from a nationwide cross-sectional survey of students on track to become teachers in Hungary. Health determinants were grouped into categories of biological, psychological, and social determinants and arranged in a temporal manner from childhood to the present. The model was tested by canonical correlation analysis followed by multivariate analysis of covariance. One composite outcome of health and six determinant groups were examined out of a total of 24 variables in both genders. Separate sets of health determinants were identified for men and women. The health of men was determined by fewer variables that were more proximal in time, more centred around physical activity, and less influenced by social relations. As opposed to that of men, women’s health was influenced by age; determinants were grouped around the ingestion of various substances and social support. In contrast to men, the health of women seemed to be more obviously multifactorial. The study supports the usefulness of the biopsychosocial model of health in research. The best fit models provided evidence for the importance of gender awareness when designing public health interventions aimed at students.

Suggested Citation

  • Éva Bíró & Sándor Kovács & Ilona Veres-Balajti & Róza Ádány & Karolina Kósa, 2021. "Modelling Health in University Students: Are Young Women More Complicated Than Men?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-12, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:14:p:7310-:d:590602
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Silvia Stringhini & Aline Dugravot & Martin Shipley & Marcel Goldberg & Marie Zins & Mika Kivimäki & Michael Marmot & Séverine Sabia & Archana Singh-Manoux, 2011. "Health Behaviours, Socioeconomic Status, and Mortality: Further Analyses of the British Whitehall II and the French GAZEL Prospective Cohorts," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(2), pages 1-1, February.
    2. Denton, Margaret & Prus, Steven & Walters, Vivienne, 2004. "Gender differences in health: a Canadian study of the psychosocial, structural and behavioural determinants of health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 58(12), pages 2585-2600, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Emanuela Gualdi-Russo & Luciana Zaccagni, 2021. "Physical Activity for Health and Wellness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-6, July.

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