Relationship of Trust, Parental and Peer Support Relationships, and Health Risk Behaviors in College Students

Abstract

The scope of this study was limited to students at Oklahoma State University who chose to participate. The purpose was to examine the relationship of trust, parental and peer support relationships, and health risk behaviors. Participants answered questions about 4 areas of high risk health behaviors, trust, and support. A sample of 172 students (one-third graduate students) volunteered to participate. Pearson correlations were used to examine the associations among trust, the perceived adequacy of support received from parents and peers, and engagement in high risk health behaviors. In additional analyses, Independent sample t-tests and ANOVAs were used to examine differences in trust and perceived support between those who engaged in high risk behaviors and those who did not for the total sample and undergraduates only. There was a positive relationship between trust and the adequacy of perceived support received from family and friends. There was not a relationship between engagement in high risk health behaviors and trust or adequacy of perceived support. However, for undergraduate students, there was a significant difference between those who engaged in heavy episodic drinking and those who did not and perceived support from family and friends.