Social factors and life events as predictors for children's health. A one-year prospective study within a general practice

Abstract

During a period of one year information was obtained concerning social background, life events and diseases among children, who happened to consult the general practitioner. One year after this index consultation information concerning the children's present state of health was obtained. 43 (13%) had been admitted to hospital during the follow-up year. 45 (12%) had had more than 5 consultations at the general practitioner, and the parents of 23 children (6%) stated that their child had poor health. A multivariate predictor-analysis was performed. The associations discovered suggest 1) that the selected social or psycho-social factors do not appear to be of considerable importance for prediction of later hospitalization, 2) that indices for short-term psycho-social stress appear to increase the risk for many consultations at the general practitioner, 3) that "poor health" in the children is partly predicted by indices for more longterm psycho-social stress.