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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

Published in:

01-03-2009 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Socioeconomic position and mental health problems in pre- and early-adolescents

The TRAILS study

Authors: Kennedy Amone-P’Olak, Huibert Burger, Johan Ormel, Martijn Huisman, Frank C. Verhulst, Albertine J. Oldehinkel

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 3/2009

Abstract

Background

Family socioeconomic position (SEP) is known to be associated with adolescent mental health. Whether the relationship is different for different mental health dimensions is unknown.

Methods

Using a cross-sectional design, we investigated the differential effects of family SEP on multiple mental health dimensions in preadolescents (N = 2230, baseline age 10–12, 49% boys) using reports from multiple informants (parent, self, and teachers). A score equal to or higher than the 85th percentile (averaged across informants) defined mental health problems.

Results

SEP was inversely associated with all dimensions. Compared to high SEP, the odds ratios (OR) for externalizing problems were 3.88 (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.56, 5.90) and 2.05 (CI: 1.34, 3.14) for low and intermediate SEP, respectively. For internalizing problems, they were 1.86 (CI: 1.28, 2.70) and 1.37 (CI: 0.94, 2.00), respectively. When adjusted for externalizing problems, SEP effects on internalizing problems materially attenuated (OR: 1.47, CI: 0.78, 1.68 and OR: 1.34, CI: 0.91, 1.96) while the converse was less pronounced (OR: 3.39, CI: 2.24, 5.15) and (OR: 1.91, CI: 1.25, 2.94).

Conclusion

In early adolescence, the risk of mental health problems increases with decreasing SEP, particularly for externalizing problems. Further, the SEP-internalizing problems relationship is partly explained by shared aspects with externalizing problems.

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Title: Socioeconomic position and mental health problems in pre- and early-adolescents
The TRAILS study
Authors: Kennedy Amone-P’Olak
Huibert Burger
Johan Ormel
Martijn Huisman
Frank C. Verhulst
Albertine J. Oldehinkel
Publication date: 01-03-2009
Publisher: Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 3/2009
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-008-0424-z

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Socioeconomic position and mental health problems in pre- and early-adolescents

The TRAILS study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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