Associations between Stressful Life Events and Increased Physical and Psychological Health Risks in Adolescents: A Longitudinal Study

Anna Roth (), Christof Meigen, Andreas Hiemisch, Wieland Kiess and Tanja Poulain
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Anna Roth: LIFE Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, Leipzig University, Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse 27, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Christof Meigen: LIFE Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, Leipzig University, Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse 27, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Andreas Hiemisch: LIFE Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, Leipzig University, Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse 27, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Wieland Kiess: LIFE Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, Leipzig University, Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse 27, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Tanja Poulain: LIFE Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, Leipzig University, Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse 27, 04103 Leipzig, Germany

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 2, 1-13

Abstract: Stressful life events (SLEs) are understood as risk factors for mental and physical health problems, particularly in the vulnerable period of adolescence. Using a longitudinal approach, this study investigated associations between SLE and several negative health outcomes in adolescents. Moderating effects of sociodemographic factors were considered. We analyzed the data of a healthy adolescent sample from the LIFE Child study in Leipzig, Germany ( n = 2024, aged 10–18 years). SLEs were measured by a questionnaire, addressing SLEs in the family and the social environment domain. Health-related quality of life (HrQoL), behavioral difficulties and BMI were compared before and after an SLE had occurred. Moderator effects of socioeconomic status (SES), age, and sex were investigated using linear regression models. All considered health parameters had, on average, deteriorated after the occurrence of an SLE in the social environment. Differences in HrQoL before and after an SLE were significantly stronger in girls. Higher SES functioned as a slight protective factor against decreased well-being after an SLE. The findings suggest that SLEs function as risk factors for mental and physical health disadvantages in adolescents. Prevention programs should seek to support adolescents in all age and SES groups affected by SLEs, with a specific focus on girls.

Keywords: stressful life events; adolescence; health related quality of life; physical health; psychological health; socioeconomic status; sex; age (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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