Subjective health status, health behaviours, and high-risk behaviours as factors associated with adolescent mental health

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Abstract

This study aimed to examine the associations between socio-demographic factors, health complaints, health behaviours, high-risk behaviours and mental health difficulties in a representative sample of 11-, 13- and 15-year-old adolescents in Latvia. The study used data from the international Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study year 2017/2018 Latvian database. Statistical modelling was performed to explore the odds of mental health difficulties measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The sample consisted of 4412 students. Overall, 155 (8.0%) boys and 209 (10,3%) girls had an “abnormal” level of mental health difficulties. In a binomial logistic regression model, the gender and socioeconomic status-adjusted odds ratios of scoring “abnormal” on the SDQ were higher for adolescents with poor subjective health, low quality of life, inadequate body image, those having multiple health complaints, less than 7 hours of sleep on weekdays, low level of physical activity, smoking cigarettes or e-cigarettes, drinking alcohol or having a problematic level of social media use. We conclude that female gender, low socioeconomic status, poor subjective health indicators, poor health behaviours and high-risk behaviours are significant factors associated with adolescent psychopathology and should be considered important targets for public health and preventive interventions.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication9th International Multidisciplinary Research Conference SOCIETY. HEALTH. WELFARE
EditorsL. Vilka, J. Krumina
Place of PublicationRiga
Number of pages10
Volume184
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 29 Mar 2024

Publication series

NameSHS Web of Conferences
PublisherEDP Open
ISSN (Print)2261-2424

Keywords*

  • adolescents
  • mental health difficulties
  • subjective health status
  • health behaviours
  • high-risk behaviours

Field of Science*

  • 3.2 Clinical medicine
  • 3.3 Health sciences

Publication Type*

  • 3.1. Articles or chapters in proceedings/scientific books indexed in Web of Science and/or Scopus database

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