Illness and exposure to negative life experiences in adolescence: two sides of the same coin? A study of 15‐year‐olds in Oslo, Norway

Abstract

Aim: To investigate associations between negative life experiences and common illnesses among adolescents. Methods: Cross‐sectional questionnaire study carried out at all lower secondary schools (10 grade) in Oslo, Norway, during 2000 and 2001 (n= 8316 pupils). Different negative life experiences and illnesses were addressed. Results: The participation rate was 88%. Among reported negative life experiences last year were a pressure felt to succeed (62%), death of a close person (26%), exposure to physical violence (22%), bullying at school (15%) and sexual violation (4%). A large number of the pupils had some chronic illness: hay fever (38%), eczema (29%) and asthma (13%). Reported illnesses the previous 12 month were: headache (56%), painful neck or shoulders (35%), sore throat at least three times (15%), lower respiratory tract infection (9%) and mental problems for which help was sought (7%). During the week prior to the survey, 26% of all girls had symptoms of a depressive disorder, while this applied to 10% of all boys. Fifty‐three percent of the boys (29% of the girls) who had depressive symptoms had been exposed to physical violence. Sexually violated boys had a high probability for seeking help for mental problems (OR = 4.9) and for frequent episodes of sore throat (OR = 2.5). Corresponding odds ratios for girls were 1.7 and 2.5, respectively. Conclusion: Common illnesses in adolescence are significantly associated with negative life experiences. In clinical encounters with adolescents not only should the presenting complaints be addressed, but also other common illnesses and relevant background factors such as negative life events.

Holdninger til reseptfrie smertestillende legemidler blant 15 – 16-åringer

“…Forekomst av smertetilstander syntes å opptre omtrent like hyppig hos vestlige og ikke-vestlige elever, og det samsvarer med funn i tidligere undersøkelser (21). Det støt-ter oppfatningen om at ungdom i Norge med ikke-vestlig kulturbakgrunn har samme høye forekomst av kroppslige plager som ungdom med vestlig kulturbakgrunn (22).…”

Experiences of violence among adolescents: gender patterns in types, perpetrators and associated psychological distress

“…There is, for example, consistent evidence of bullying and sexual harassment being related to depression and psychological distress (Gobina et al 2008;Gruber and Fineran 2008;Nansel et al 2004). It is also well established that experiences of physical and sexual violence/abuse are risk factors for poor mental health in adolescents (Haavet et al 2004; Thompson et al 2004). Post-traumatic stress and experiences of shame have been suggested as possible mechanisms for this relationship (Ruchkin et al 2007;Stuewig and McCloskey 2005).…”

Stress and the City: Housing Stressors are Associated with Respiratory Health among Low Socioeconomic Status Chicago Children

“…10,12,[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] Stress experienced by children or their parents may also have indirect effects on asthma by causing health-compromising behaviors and comorbidities that adversely affect disease management. [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] Caregiver stress, negative life events, problematic family relationships, parenting difficulties, critical attitudes of one's mother and violence exposure have been related to wheeze, asthma onset, and/or adverse asthma outcomes among infants and youths. 14,15,[20][21][22][29][30][31][32][35][36][37][38][39][40][41] The housing and health relationship has long been acknowledged, not surprising given that water, warmth, air, shelter, and safety are fundamental human needs.…”

“…[23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] Caregiver stress, negative life events, problematic family relationships, parenting difficulties, critical attitudes of one's mother and violence exposure have been related to wheeze, asthma onset, and/or adverse asthma outcomes among infants and youths. 14,15,[20][21][22][29][30][31][32][35][36][37][38][39][40][41] The housing and health relationship has long been acknowledged, not surprising given that water, warmth, air, shelter, and safety are fundamental human needs. 42 US children spend as much as 80-90% of their time indoors.…”