Abstract
Methods
Adolescents (n = 7,639) aged 13–18 years completed a questionnaire regarding lifestyle and health. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were
measured by the SCL-5, a five-item shortened version of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist. Resilience factors included questions
on friends and family relations and two sub-scales of the Resilience Scale for Adolescents; Family cohesion and Social competence.
measured by the SCL-5, a five-item shortened version of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist. Resilience factors included questions
on friends and family relations and two sub-scales of the Resilience Scale for Adolescents; Family cohesion and Social competence.
Results
Of the total population, 13 % reported symptoms of anxiety and depression. Resilience characteristics were associated with
lower symptom levels (ORs ranging from 0.2 to 0.6), and substance use and infrequent physical activity with higher symptom
levels (ORs ranging from 2.1 to 4.0). The associations with substance use were strengthened by social competence, but attenuated
by family cohesion. The association with physical activity was attenuated by both social competence and family cohesion.
lower symptom levels (ORs ranging from 0.2 to 0.6), and substance use and infrequent physical activity with higher symptom
levels (ORs ranging from 2.1 to 4.0). The associations with substance use were strengthened by social competence, but attenuated
by family cohesion. The association with physical activity was attenuated by both social competence and family cohesion.
Conclusion
Symptoms of anxiety and depression were frequent in adolescents and were associated with unhealthy lifestyle factors as substance
use and low physical activity. Resilience characteristics seemed to protect against symptoms and markedly influenced the associations
between lifestyle factors and symptoms of anxiety and depression. The importance of family and other supportive relationships
should be emphasized in treatment and prevention of anxiety and depression in adolescence.
use and low physical activity. Resilience characteristics seemed to protect against symptoms and markedly influenced the associations
between lifestyle factors and symptoms of anxiety and depression. The importance of family and other supportive relationships
should be emphasized in treatment and prevention of anxiety and depression in adolescence.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s00127-012-0561-2
- Authors
- Marit Skrove, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, RBUP, NTNU, 7489 Trondheim, Norway
- Pål Romundstad, Department of Public Health and General Practise, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Marit S. Indredavik, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, RBUP, NTNU, 7489 Trondheim, Norway
- Journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
- Online ISSN 1433-9285
- Print ISSN 0933-7954