The Relationship of Neophobia and Neophilia to the Life Events Among Young Adults | [Archives of Pharmacy Practice • 2025]

Author(s):

1. Nursemin Unal: Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey

2. Müjde Koca Atabey: Department of Psychology, Ankara Medipol University, Ankara, Turkey

3. Nevin Şanlier: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Ankara Medipol University, Ankara, Turkey

Abstract:

Life events that the students experience during the university life can affect young individuals' food preferences and food neophobia. This study aims to evaluate the relationship of neophobia and neophilia to life events among young adults. The research is descriptive, crosssectional, and correlational and was conducted with 408 university students studying at a private, non-profit university. Data were collected with a Personal Information Form, General Neophobia Scale (GNS), Food Neophobia Scale (FNS), and Life Events Inventory (LEI). The mean age of students was 20.8±1.85 years and 79.4% were female. The mean GNS score of female students and the mean LEI score of smokers were high (p<0.05). While the mean FNS score of alcohol users was low, the mean LEI score was high (p<0.05). There was a weak positive correlation between GNS and FNS mean scores and between GNS and LEI (r=0.212, p<0.001; r= 0.314, p<0.001). The predictors of general neophobia were gender, food neophobia, and excess of life events. Prevention of food neophobia may also affect the negative perception of students on the stressors in their lives. It is recommended to organize training programs for students on managing food neophobia and other university-related stressors.

Page(s): 1-7

DOI: 10.51847/AG623z9IS0

Published: Journal: Archives of Pharmacy Practice, Volume: 16, Issue: 1, Year: 2025

Keywords:

Young adults , Life events , Food neophobia , Neophobia

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