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Social differences are evident in both developed and developing countries. During adolescence, there are limited differences in morbidity and mortality, but differences do appear in terms of health behaviours. This study aims to examine the relationship(s) between social differences and students' health behaviours. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020 with a sample of high school students (N = 2741, aged 13–18 years) in Jordan. Besides descriptive statistics, bivariate logistic regression analysis was used to detect the odds risk for each social difference indicator. Females were engaged in more healthy dietary and hygienic behaviours and less engaged in smoking. Males were more physically active. Adolescents with a higher parental education level were more engaged in healthy behaviours; however, they drank carbonated soft drinks and ate fast food more often. Higher SES (socioeconomic status) self-evaluation was positively associated with eating breakfast and fruit and vegetables, being physically active, drinking carbonated soft drinks, eating fast food, and smoking. Our findings suggest that socioeconomic differences are important to understanding Jordanian adolescents' health behaviours. While females tend to engage in more healthy behaviours, the role of parental education and perceived family affluence is not always beneficial in terms of adolescents' dietary habits, hygienic behaviour, or smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social support from family, friends, and others enhances the quality of life and acts as an important protective mechanism against mental health problems. The purpose of this study is to investigate how social support is related to mental health outcomes among Jordanian adolescents. Data were collected in 2020 from public and private schools in Irbid governorate, Jordan. Multistage cluster sampling was used to recruit students from 8th – 12th grades (N = 2741; ages 13–18 years). The study finds social support is related to higher levels of life satisfaction and self-esteem. The negative association between social support and depressive symptoms is also significant. Our findings underscore the importance of the role of social support, especially support from family. This support is important to adolescents' mental health and underscores the importance of policymakers giving greater attention to the family dynamic and its impact on student well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Socioeconomic inequalities play an important role in health. Although studies report less inequalities in adolescent health compared to other age groups, there may be differences in their health behavior and mental health. Objective(s): This cross-sectional pilot study aimed to analyze these associations. Methods: Using a sample of students (n = 112, aged 13 - 18 years) data were collected from public and private schools in Irbid governorate, Jordan, November, 2018. Measurements included socioeconomic status indicators (education and income of the parents, assessed by the adolescent), the Global School-based Student Health Survey, health behaviors (tobacco use, personal hygiene, dietary behavior), Satisfaction with Life Scale, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children. Results: The results indicated that there was a significant association between the family affluence and both paternal (p= 0.003) and maternal educational levels (p= 0.008). There was a relationship between paternal education and not having enough food at home (p= 0.006), adolescents' eating fruit per week (p= 0.037), and washing their hands before eating (p= 0.004). Maternal education level was related to the students' eating vegetables (p= 0.011) and fruits (p = 0.030) per week. The association of family affluence with eating fast food was significant (p= 0.05). The relationship of depression and family affluence was linear. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that adolescents' health behavior may dominantly be related to paternal education, while their mental health may be related to family affluence. The data of this study will help in establishing effective and efficient counseling and support intervention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]