LIFE CONTROL AMONG YOUNG MEN IN VIEW OF THEIR CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE

The analysis of life control and its development is an issue of centra l concern to modern health research. This article discusses longitudin al questionnaire data in an attempt to identify factors that predict y oung men's life control in early childhood and adolescence. No factors in the childhood family background predicted strong life control in a dulthood. A positive development in the family's social situation show ed a positive association with life control in adulthood. Poor school performance and unhealthy habits in adolescence were associated with p oor life control in adulthood. According to a regression analysis, the following factors predicted a strong life control in adulthood: regul ar physical exercise, positive changes in the family's social situatio n, no school class repeats, no experimentation with intoxicants in ado lescence, admission into intermediate level of education, and no smoki ng in adolescence. It is crucially important for purposes of health pr omotion to identify factors which predict life control in adulthood. B y helping adolescents to achieve life control, we are also helping the m to cope with developmental tasks and therefore to promote their heal th.