The Relationship between Locus of Control, Parenting Style, Teaching Style, and Self-Esteem on the Practice of Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors among Chinese High School Students from Three High School in Xinjiang Province

Abstract

The present study employed path analysis to investigate the impact of locus of control, parenting style, teaching style, and self-esteem on the practice of healthy lifestyle behaviors among a sample of Chinese high school students. 300 high school students from three high schools in China participated by responding to a questionnaire developed to meet the objectives of the study. Results from the study revealed significant relationships between the following variables: (1) authoritative teaching style and internal locus of control with physical exercise; (2) internal locus of control with having breakfast on time; (3) neglectful parenting style and internal locus of control with having enough sleep; (4) neglectful teaching style with brushing one’s teeth after a meal and paying attention to safety issues; and (5) indulgent parenting style and internal and chance locus of control with good eye care. The implications of and recommendations from these findings for the practice of health care behaviors among Chinese high school students are discussed.