Discontent with financial situation, self-rated health, and well-being of adolescents in Bosnia and Herzegovina: cross-sectional study in Tuzla Canton

Abstract

Aim: To examine the relationship between quality of life, self-rated health, and well-being and to establish the relationship between discontent with familial financial situation and health in adolescents living in the Tuzla Canton.

Method: The study comprised a random sample of 356 high school students aged 16, coming from 15 different classes of 16 high schools in the Tuzla municipality. Data were obtained using a validated self-reporting questionnaire on demographic and socioeconomic background, structure, and dynamics of the adolescent's family, life-style, perception, and satisfaction with the financial situation and current health status, as well as social relationships and health care provided in school settings.

Results: In 11% (n=40) of students' households several poverty indicators were present. Twenty three percent (n=82) of the examinees were dissatisfied with the financial situation in their families, and 73% of them came from local, non-refugee families. They presented with progressive symptoms of unhappiness and expressed discontent with their health condition, and even self-hate in comparison with adolescents who were satisfied with the financial situation in their families (chi(2)=21.5; P=0.001). The prevalence of self-rated mental symptoms was significantly lower among adolescents who were satisfied with their financial situation than in those who were dissatisfied (symptoms of depression 57/274 vs 40/82, P=0.001; sadness 73/274 vs 45/82, P=0.001; moroseness 34/274 vs 19/82, P=0.001; under-sedation 29/274 vs 18/82, P=0.001; bad marks and school failures 31/274 vs 20/82, P=0.001; suicidal attempts 11/274 vs 7/82, P=0.001, respectively). Using linear regression analysis we found that adolescents' satisfaction with the financial situation was a major factor predicting depression (OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.158-1.855), loss of appetite (OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.561-1.235), distraction (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.837-1.154), unhappiness (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.686-1.405), and inability to perform at school as expected (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.903-1.581).

Conclusion: Discontent with the financial situation significantly reduces the quality of mental health, leads to inappropriate patterns of behavior, and endangers future perspectives and well-being of adolescents.