Peer-reviewed | Manuscript received: January 14, 2013 | Revision accepted: June 04, 2013
Qualitative interviews with socially disadvantaged and/or learning disabled adolescents
Background
There is no doubt that social status and health are linked. During the last 25 years, numerous studies have convincingly demonstrated that social status has a decisive influence on health [1]. This also applies to adolescents and young adults, as demonstrated in The German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) and the National Nutrition Survey II (NVS II).
Thus, it has been documented that obesity, eating disorders, psychological problems and behavioural disorders are clearly dependent on social class. Adolescents of low social status suffer from these health problems more frequently than do their contemporaries in higher social classes [2].
Summary
The objective of collecting qualitative data is to explore the needs for health promotion of socially disadvantaged and/or learning-disabled young adults in a work setting. By means of qualitative interviews with trainees and supervisors at a company, the study shows that topics like health and nutrition are less important to the trainees than are vocational training and their perspectives for the future. Management style was a decisive factor for a good working atmosphere and the trainees’ well-being. There was a disparity between health knowledge and health behaviour. Measures for health promotion should extend to all areas of life that are relevant for the trainees, especially their career plans. To promote a healthy lifestyle, situational prevention should mainly be emphasised, for example by management participation.
Keywords: Social disadvantage, learning disability, in-company health promotion, adolescents, vocational training
