NCJ Number
216244
Journal
Journal of Adolescence Volume: 29 Issue: 5 Dated: October 2006 Pages: 837-843
Date Published
October 2006
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study examined self-reported sources of income and expenditure, and the association between part-time employment and spending on fast food, alcohol, cigarettes, and gambling among New Zealand secondary school students.
Abstract
This study showed that most young people received money from their parents, 39.9 percent recorded income from part-time employment, and there was a dose-response effect between part-time employment and higher socioeconomic status. Consistent with other studies, participation in part-time employment was associated with the purchasing of alcohol and with an increased amount spent on cigarettes and gambling. The findings suggest that interventions aimed at guiding young people in the use of their discretionary income may have positive public health consequences. Employment during adolescence has been described in prior studies as an important component in the preparation for adult responsibilities. However, international studies have found that longer hours of work are associated with increased risk of heavy alcohol consumption by youth. In addition, access to more discretionary income has been associated with an increased risk of daily smoking and an increased likelihood of gambling. The objective of this study of 3,434 New Zealand (NZ) secondary school students was to identify the main sources of disposable income among NZ youth, describe expenditure on fast food, alcohol, cigarettes, and gambling in relation to age, sex, and employment status, and examine the associations between part-time employment and expenditure on potential health risk items. Tables, references