Daily life and youth in TRNC

Abstract

This large-scale descriptive study aims to investigate and understand the behaviors and habits of the adolescents living in North Cyprus. Due to the specific political and social circumstances of the country, understanding the behaviors and habits of the adolescents in relation with technology usage, consumption, reading, substance usage and physical activities is hoped to be a beginning point for future studies carried on with this special population. Another goal of the study is to determine the main anxieties of the young people about their future and the future of their country. The sample of the study consists of 1369 participants totally, from 7-10(th) grades of primary and secondary schools in the regions (Gazimagusa-Famagusta, Girne-Kyrinea, Guzelyurt-Amorphu, Lefke-Lafka and Karpaz-Carpasia) of TRNC. The data is collected by survey method with a questionnaire designed by the researchers. The questionnaire consists of multiple-choice items related with technology usage (telephone-15 items, internet-10 items, computer-8 items, TV-10 items), comsumption (7 items), reading (7 items), substance use (8 items) and physical activities (7 items) totally 82 multiple-choice and two open-ended questions related with anxieties about their own and their country's future. Information related with socio-demographic variables (age, place of birth, gender, parents education level and occupation and the total income of the family) is collected by Personal Information Form. In this study, the focus was on the nutrition, physical activity, smoking behavior, alcohol usage and worries for future. The analysis of the data related to technology is still proceeding. The results of the study reveals important data for understanding the daily life's of young people living at TRNC. The results will be discussed and suggestions for new studies will be presented. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.