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. 2009 Dec 15:7:100.
doi: 10.1186/1477-7525-7-100.

Adolescents' wellbeing and functioning: relationships with parents' subjective general physical and mental health

George Giannakopoulos  1 , Christine Dimitrakaki, Xanthi Pedeli, Gerasimos Kolaitis, Vasiliki Rotsika, Ulricke Ravens-Sieberer, Yannis Tountas
Affiliations

Adolescents' wellbeing and functioning: relationships with parents' subjective general physical and mental health

George Giannakopoulos et al. Health Qual Life Outcomes. .

Abstract

Background: This study aimed at examining the relationship between parental subjective health status and adolescents' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as well as the role of gender, socioeconomic status, presence of chronic health care needs and social support on the above interaction.

Methods: Questionnaires were administered to a Greek nation-wide random sample of adolescents (N = 1,194) aged 11-18 years and their parents (N = 973) in 2003. Adolescents' and parents' status was assessed, together with reports of socio-economic status and level of social support. Various statistical tests were used to determine the extent to which these variables were related to each other.

Results and discussion: Parental subjective mental health status was significantly correlated with adolescents' better physical and psychological wellbeing, moods and emotions, parent-child relationships, school environment and financial resources. Parental subjective physical health status was strongly associated with more positive adolescents' self-perception. Adolescents' male gender, younger age, absence of chronic health care needs, high social support, and higher family income were positively associated with better HRQoL.

Conclusions: This study reinforces the importance of parental subjective health status, along with other variables, as a significant factor for the adolescents' HRQoL.

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