Abstract
Objectives
This study examined the relationship between trustful communication with parents and frequency of emotional symptoms in schoolchildren and whether this relationship was modified by the family’s socio-economic position.
Methods
Pooled data (n = 15,646) from the Danish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children surveys 2002, 2006 and 2010 were analysed by multilevel multivariable logistic regression.
Results
8 % of all schoolchildren reported emotional symptoms almost daily. Odds ratio for daily symptoms was 2.1 (1.8–2.4) for children without trustful communication with parents compared to children with trustful communication. This association appears unaffected by family occupational class. A substantial socio-economic gradient in emotional symptoms persisted, independent of parent–child communication.
Conclusions
Trustful communication with parents might have a fundamental importance, regardless of socio-economic position.
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Acknowledgments
The Nordea foundation supported the HBSC study 2010 and the HBSC Trend Data Base. We thank Pernille Due and Pia Wichmann Henriksen for their contribution to the conception of the study. We thank Pernille Due, the Principal Investigator of the Danish HBSC study, for access to the data.
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Damsgaard, M.T., Holstein, B.E., Koushede, V. et al. Close relations to parents and emotional symptoms among adolescents: beyond socio-economic impact?. Int J Public Health 59, 721–726 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-014-0600-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-014-0600-8