Socioeconomic inequalities in adolescent mental health in the Nordic countries in the 2000s - A study using cross-sectional data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study.
Adolescent health
At-risk-of-poverty rate
Income inequality
Life satisfaction
Mental health
Nordic countries
Social gradient
Socioeconomic inequalities
Subjective health complaints
Journal
Archives of public health = Archives belges de sante publique
ISSN: 0778-7367
Titre abrégé: Arch Public Health
Pays: England
ID NLM: 9208826
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
07 Feb 2024
07 Feb 2024
Historique:
received:
28
08
2023
accepted:
13
01
2024
medline:
8
2
2024
pubmed:
8
2
2024
entrez:
7
2
2024
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Adolescents in Sweden experience more mental health problems and lower mental well-being than adolescents in other Nordic countries. According to the literature, one possible explanation may be differences in income inequality. The at-risk-of-poverty rate varies significantly across the Nordic countries, and the highest rate is found in Sweden. The aims of the study were to examine socioeconomic inequalities in subjective health complaints and life satisfaction among adolescents in the Nordic countries during 2002 - 2018 and to explore whether subjective health complaints and life satisfaction were related to income inequality in terms of the at-risk-of-poverty rate at the country level. Data regarding 15-year-olds from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study from five survey rounds (2002 - 2018) were used (n = 41,148). The HBSC Symptoms Checklist and Cantril's ladder were used as measures of subjective health complaints and life satisfaction, respectively. The Family Affluence Scale, the Perceived Family Wealth item and the at-risk-of-poverty rate in each country were used as measures of individual-level socioeconomic conditions and country-level income inequality. Statistical methods involved ANOVA, multiple linear regressions and multilevel regression analyses. Absolute and relative socioeconomic inequalities in both subjective health complaints and life satisfaction were found in all countries. Sweden showed average socioeconomic inequalities, Iceland the largest and Denmark the smallest. Country-level income inequality in terms of the at-risk-of-poverty rate was associated with a higher prevalence of subjective health complaints and lower levels of life satisfaction in all countries. Socioeconomic inequalities in adolescent mental health and well-being persisted in Nordic countries in the 2000s. Increasing income inequality may have contributed to higher levels of SHC and lower LS in Sweden compared to the other Nordic countries. Policies improving families' socioeconomic conditions and reducing income inequality at the country level are needed to improve and reduce inequalities in mental health and well-being among adolescents.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Adolescents in Sweden experience more mental health problems and lower mental well-being than adolescents in other Nordic countries. According to the literature, one possible explanation may be differences in income inequality. The at-risk-of-poverty rate varies significantly across the Nordic countries, and the highest rate is found in Sweden. The aims of the study were to examine socioeconomic inequalities in subjective health complaints and life satisfaction among adolescents in the Nordic countries during 2002 - 2018 and to explore whether subjective health complaints and life satisfaction were related to income inequality in terms of the at-risk-of-poverty rate at the country level.
METHODS
METHODS
Data regarding 15-year-olds from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study from five survey rounds (2002 - 2018) were used (n = 41,148). The HBSC Symptoms Checklist and Cantril's ladder were used as measures of subjective health complaints and life satisfaction, respectively. The Family Affluence Scale, the Perceived Family Wealth item and the at-risk-of-poverty rate in each country were used as measures of individual-level socioeconomic conditions and country-level income inequality. Statistical methods involved ANOVA, multiple linear regressions and multilevel regression analyses.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Absolute and relative socioeconomic inequalities in both subjective health complaints and life satisfaction were found in all countries. Sweden showed average socioeconomic inequalities, Iceland the largest and Denmark the smallest. Country-level income inequality in terms of the at-risk-of-poverty rate was associated with a higher prevalence of subjective health complaints and lower levels of life satisfaction in all countries.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
Socioeconomic inequalities in adolescent mental health and well-being persisted in Nordic countries in the 2000s. Increasing income inequality may have contributed to higher levels of SHC and lower LS in Sweden compared to the other Nordic countries. Policies improving families' socioeconomic conditions and reducing income inequality at the country level are needed to improve and reduce inequalities in mental health and well-being among adolescents.
Identifiants
pubmed: 38326845
doi: 10.1186/s13690-024-01240-5
pii: 10.1186/s13690-024-01240-5
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
20Informations de copyright
© 2024. The Author(s).
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