Exploration of eh Downstream Health Effects of Adolescent Rites of Passage Experiences

This exploratory study examines adolescent health behaviors, the health behaviors of family members, the role of cultural heritage, and participation in coming-of-age rites of passage programs or activities during adolescence as determinants of young adult health behaviors. In traditional cultures, a coming-of-age rite of passage is a ritualized event where community members help guide adolescents into adulthood. The event becomes a threshold that defines the adolescent’s new place in the community as an adult. This study investigates these potential connections of adolescent experiences and later health behaviors in two ways. First, by surveying young adults from two local university populations. Young adults will be asked about their adolescent experiences, including programs, activities or events that focused on a transition into adulthood and their current health behaviors. Second, with in-depth interviews with young adults who participated in a coming-of-age rites of passage program during their adolescence. Through these investigations, we hope to elucidate how adolescent experiences, and particularly those of coming-of-age rites of passage programs and activities, affect health behaviors and possibly chronic diseases later in life.