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Journal of Public Health

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01-04-2010 | Original Article

Family Affluence Scale, other socioeconomic position indicators, and self-rated health among South Korean adolescents: findings from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBWS)

Authors: Hong-Jun Cho, Young-Ho Khang

Published in: Journal of Public Health | Issue 2/2010

Abstract

Background

Previous mixed findings regarding socioeconomic differentials among adolescents can be partly attributed to problems in measuring socioeconomic position (SEP) among adolescents. Accordingly, the Family Affluence Scale (FAS) was developed and used in European countries, where it yielded good predictions of socioeconomic differentials in health. However, no prior study has examined whether this new measure for SEP among adolescents is applicable outside Europe.

Methods

The study subjects comprised 71,404 middle and high school students (37,204 boys and 34,200 girls) selected through stratified random cluster sampling of 400 middle schools and 400 high schools in Korea. The predictor variables included the FAS, parental education levels, self-rated school achievement, perceived household economic status, and cohabitation with parents. The outcome variable was self-rated health (SRH); age-adjusted odds ratios were calculated with SRH as an outcome variable.

Results

About 10% of the adolescents studied reported “poor” SRH. The correlation coefficients between each component of the FAS were modest (0.11–0.24). Lower FAS was related to a lower level in other SEP indicators and living without parents. All SEP indicators showed a positive relationship between lower SEP and worse SRH for both genders, with gradients being greater among boys than girls. The higher risk of poor SRH being reported by adolescents with low FAS was significantly decreased by adjustment for perceived household economic status.

Conclusion

Significant differentials in SRH by many SEP indicators were found among Korean adolescents. The FAS garnered a high completion rate and appeared useful as a measure of SEP for studying adolescents outside of Europe.

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Title: Family Affluence Scale, other socioeconomic position indicators, and self-rated health among South Korean adolescents: findings from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBWS)
Authors: Hong-Jun Cho
Young-Ho Khang
Publication date: 01-04-2010
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Journal of Public Health / Issue 2/2010
Print ISSN: 2198-1833
Electronic ISSN: 1613-2238
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-009-0299-9

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Family Affluence Scale, other socioeconomic position indicators, and self-rated health among South Korean adolescents: findings from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBWS)

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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