Associations among socio-economic status (parental education, economic status of family), health-related behaviors (physical activities, sedentary time for study purposes, sedentary time for purposes other than study) and perceived health.

Significant paths were presented in the solid black lines and standardized regression coefficients of 2019/2020/2021 were presented. In addition, the significant differences in the coefficient across the year were presented as asterisk mark.</p

General characteristics of participants.

The relationship between individuals’ socioeconomic characteristics and their health outcomes is widely acknowledged. However, the specific mechanisms through which these factors are interconnected have not been studied sufficiently. The current study investigated the association among socio-economic status (education of parents, economic status of family) and perceived health mediated by physical activity and sedentary time (purpose for study or not), before and during Covid-19. Three cross-sectional and population-based representative surveys from 2019, 2020, and 2021 were utilized. Overall, 167,099 Korean adolescents (57,303 in 2019, 54,948 in 2020, 54,848 in 2021) participated. A multi-group structural equation model showed that socio-economic status was associated with perceived health through physical activity and sedentary behaviors. Both measures of socio-economic status were positively associated with sedentary time for study purposes, but negatively associated with purposes other than study. Higher education of parents negatively predicted physical activity, whereas higher economic status of family positively predicted physical activity. The impact of socio-economic status on sedentary time tended to increase after the pandemic. Covid-19 significantly affected adolescents’ health and health-related behaviors. Comprehensive policies considering adolescents’ socio-economic status and their physical activity and sedentary time would mitigate the health effects of the pandemic.</div

Trends in physical activity and sedentary time and perceived health.

Trends in physical activity and sedentary time and perceived health.</p

Theoretical model of the current study.

The current study adopts the framework of fundamental cause theory to hypothesize that socio-economic status in adolescents, as reflected in parental education and family economic status, is related to health-related behaviors (physical activity and sedentary time). These health-related behaviors, in turn, serve as mediators of the association between socio-economic status and health outcomes.</p

Model estimates in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

The relationship between individuals’ socioeconomic characteristics and their health outcomes is widely acknowledged. However, the specific mechanisms through which these factors are interconnected have not been studied sufficiently. The current study investigated the association among socio-economic status (education of parents, economic status of family) and perceived health mediated by physical activity and sedentary time (purpose for study or not), before and during Covid-19. Three cross-sectional and population-based representative surveys from 2019, 2020, and 2021 were utilized. Overall, 167,099 Korean adolescents (57,303 in 2019, 54,948 in 2020, 54,848 in 2021) participated. A multi-group structural equation model showed that socio-economic status was associated with perceived health through physical activity and sedentary behaviors. Both measures of socio-economic status were positively associated with sedentary time for study purposes, but negatively associated with purposes other than study. Higher education of parents negatively predicted physical activity, whereas higher economic status of family positively predicted physical activity. The impact of socio-economic status on sedentary time tended to increase after the pandemic. Covid-19 significantly affected adolescents’ health and health-related behaviors. Comprehensive policies considering adolescents’ socio-economic status and their physical activity and sedentary time would mitigate the health effects of the pandemic.</div

Descriptive statistics of dependent variables by conditions.

<p>Descriptive statistics of dependent variables by conditions.</p

The influence of anonymous peers on prosocial behavior

<div><p>Background</p><p>Peer influence on students’ maladaptive behaviors has been well documented; however, the influence on positive development is less acknowledged.</p><p>Purpose</p><p>The purpose of this study was to examine anonymous peer influence on college students’ prosocial behavior, specifically behavior for the improvement of society (i.e., donating money or participating in social campaigns) via an experimental approach. The effects of indirect peer influence (IP) and direct peer influence (DP) on college students’ prosocial behavior were examined.</p><p>Methods</p><p>A total of 125 college students participated in an online survey and laboratory experiment. Self-reported helping behavior, social concern goals, and empathy were measured by the online survey. In the laboratory experiments, reading of a prosocial paragraph (IP) and confederates’ prosocial behavior (DP) were manipulated. Participation in a signature campaign and money donation for illness were observed. Furthermore, 19 participants among those who donated were asked about their reasons for participating in such prosocial behavior.</p><p>Results</p><p>Prosocial behavior of anonymous peers (confederates) exerts a profound influence on college students’ participation in a signature campaign and money donation, whereas the reading of a prosocial paragraph has no effect. Furthermore, no participants reported peer influence as a reason for engaging in prosocial behavior.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>This finding supports and extends recent research examining the positive impacts of anonymous peers on prosocial behavior. Prosocial behavior is not only a foundational and consistent aspect of personality, as previous studies report, but is also highly malleable and unstable in response to immediate situations.</p></div

Diagram of the experimental procedure.

<p>Diagram of the experimental procedure.</p

Demographic characteristics.

<p>Demographic characteristics.</p

Logistic and multiple regression analysis predicting participation in the (A) signature campaign, (B) making donations, and (C) the amount of donated money.

<p>Logistic and multiple regression analysis predicting participation in the (A) signature campaign, (B) making donations, and (C) the amount of donated money.</p