Contributing Factors in Adolescents’ Mental Well-Being—The Role of Socioeconomic Status, Social Support, and Health Behavior

Gabriella Nagy-Pénzes, Ferenc Vincze and Éva Bíró
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Gabriella Nagy-Pénzes: Doctoral School of Health Sciences, University of Debrecen, 26. Kassai Street, 4028 Debrecen, Hungary
Ferenc Vincze: Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 26. Kassai Street, 4028 Debrecen, Hungary
Éva Bíró: Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 26. Kassai Street, 4028 Debrecen, Hungary

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 22, 1-17

Abstract: Mental disorders are common in adolescents, and for effective interventions we should be aware of their determinants. However, there are only a small number of studies investigating the combined effect of multiple factors. Therefore, our aim is to assess the impact of socioeconomic status, social support, and health behavior on adolescents’ mental well-being. A cross-sectional health survey of 1641 children was carried out in accordance with the study protocol of the Hungarian Health Behavior in School-aged Children survey. Multivariate multiple regression was used to analyze the main determinants of mental well-being. The boys’ mental well-being was favorable compared to girls; lower subjective family wealth was associated with lower life satisfaction and depressive mood. Life satisfaction was positively related to healthy eating, social support, and physical activity. Unhealthy eating, sedentary lifestyle, and lower social support were associated with higher depression scores. Higher social support reduces psychosomatic symptoms, while unhealthy eating and spending a lot of time in front of the computer increase them. Both social support and healthy lifestyle seem to be protective against mental health problems among adolescents, and thus interventions should focus on these factors regardless of the socioeconomic status of the participants, with special attention given to girls.

Keywords: adolescents; mental well-being; socioeconomic status; social support; health behavior (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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