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- Title
Psychological symptoms and physical health and health behaviours in adolescents: a prospective 2-year study in East London.
- Authors
Clark, Charlotte; Haines, Mary M.; Head, Jenny; Klineberg, Emily; Arephin, Muna; Viner, Russell; Taylor, Stephanie J. C.; Booy, Robert; Bhui, Kam; Stansfeld, Stephen A.
- Abstract
Aims To examine whether physical health and health-risk behaviours in young people are risk factors for psychological distress and depressive symptoms over a 2-year period. Design/setting A 2-year, prospective epidemiological cohort study in East London. Participants A total of 1615 adolescents from the Research with East London Adolescents: Community Health Survey (RELACHS)—a representative cohort of young people aged 11–12 and 13–14 years at baseline, followed-up after 2 years. Measurements Psychological distress and depressive symptoms identified by the self-report Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Short Moods and Feelings Questionnaire at baseline and follow-up. Data on overweight/obesity, general health, long-standing illness, physical activity, smoking, alcohol use and drug use were collected from questionnaires completed by the adolescents at baseline and follow-up. Findings At follow-up, 10.1% of males and 12.9% of females reported psychological distress; 20% of males and 33.7% of females reported depressive symptoms. Having tried drugs or engaged in two or more health-risk behaviours (smoking, alcohol use or drug use) at baseline predicted psychological distress and depressive symptoms at follow-up. Smoking on its own, long-standing illness, obesity/overweight and activity levels were not associated with later psychological health. Risk of poor psychological health at follow-up was associated strongly with psychological health at baseline. Conclusions Psychological health at baseline was the strongest predictor of psychological health at follow-up. Engaging in two or more health-risk behaviours moderately increased the risk of poor psychological health, suggesting that prevention strategies targeting co-occuring substance use may reduce burden of disease.
- Subjects
LONDON (England); HEALTH behavior in adolescence; HEALTH; HEALTH behavior; HEALTH risk assessment; PSYCHOLOGICAL distress; MENTAL depression; OBESITY; ALCOHOLISM
- Publication
Addiction, 2007, Vol 102, Issue 1, p126
- ISSN
0965-2140
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1360-0443.2006.01621.x