The Association between Adolescents’ Experiences of Close Relatives Having Severe Health Conditions and Their Own Mental Health—A Population-Based School Study

Abstract

Adolescents with close relatives having severe health conditions or who have died (RSHC) are vulnerable, and this has long-term influences on their lives and health. This study investigated how adolescents with RSHC experiences reported having poor mental health and protective factors and the combined influence of these compared to their peers who had not had these experiences. A cross-sectional school-based survey among students aged 15–18 years (N = 3410) in Sörmland, Sweden, was used to analyse the association between poor mental health and experiences from having one or several RSHC experiences with physical illness, mental illness, or substance abuse/gambling disorder, as well as having relatives who have died. Logistic regression models were performed, adjusting for background factors, and protective factors against poor mental health related to school, home relations, safety in everyday life, and lifestyle were assessed. Adolescents with one RSHC experience had an OR of 1.45 (95% CI: 1.23–1.72) for poor mental health, and those with several RSHC experiences had an OR of 2.35 (95% CI: 1.94–2.84) compared to those with no RSHC experiences. The greatest OR for poor mental health was seen among adolescents with the combination of several RSHC experiences and few protective factors against poor mental health (18.83; 95% CI: 11.86–29.91). Adolescents with RSHC experiences have increased odds of poor mental health compared to adolescents without these experiences, especially those with several RSHC experiences and few protective factors. When meeting adolescents with RSHC experiences, supporting their key protective factors may play an important role in improving mental health.

Socioeconomic Disadvantage among Adolescents: Associations between Having Relatives with Severe Health Conditions, Parental Work Status, and Poor Mental Health

“…This study shows that adolescents reporting experiences with RSHCs are in a more vulnerable life situation, including an increased odds of poor mental health, in line with the findings of previous studies [8,10,13,18,19,23]. The present results further point at an even more vulnerable situation for self-reported poor mental health among adolescents having experiences with RSHCs in combination with ≥1 PNW.…”

“…This study was approved by the Regional Ethical Review Board, Stockholm (Dnr 2017/709-32). Several previous studies focusing on adolescents' health have used data from the Life and Health Surveys [8,19,33,34].…”

“…One of the public health goals, both globally [4] and in Sweden [5], is to reduce socioeconomic differences in health, which is captured in the plan of action related to the goals of no poverty, good health, and reduced inequalities, as stated in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development [6]. Youth with experiences with relatives with severe health conditions (RSHCs) constitute a large group in a vulnerable life situation in several ways, where one may be a negative influence on socioeconomic situation [7][8][9]. Nearly one in ten young people have a parent with a somatic condition [10] and one in five have a parent with mental illness [11][12][13]; therefore, experiences with RSHCs are common among youth.…”

“…Having experiences with RSHCs may be stressful in other ways, negatively impacting everyday life and health in the short and long terms [8,[18][19][20]. Adolescents with RSHC experiences often have poorer school outcomes [21] and less meaningful leisure activities [22], and they are at increased risk of health-compromising behaviors [23].…”

“…Adolescents with RSHC experiences often have poorer school outcomes [21] and less meaningful leisure activities [22], and they are at increased risk of health-compromising behaviors [23]. We previously showed that adolescents, and especially girls, with several RSHC experiences have significantly increased odds ratios (ORs) for poor mental health [8] as well as for non-suicidal self-injuries [19].…”