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Resilience, lifestyle and symptoms of anxiety and depression in adolescence: the Young-HUNT study

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Abstract

Purpose

This study investigated the symptoms of anxiety and depression in adolescence, their associations with lifestyle and resilience and the possibility that resilience factors can attenuate the associations between unhealthy lifestyle and symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Methods

Adolescents (n = 7,639) aged 13–18 years completed a questionnaire regarding lifestyle and health. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were measured by the SCL-5, a five-item shortened version of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist. Resilience factors included questions on friends and family relations and two sub-scales of the Resilience Scale for Adolescents; Family cohesion and Social competence.

Results

Of the total population, 13 % reported symptoms of anxiety and depression. Resilience characteristics were associated with lower symptom levels (ORs ranging from 0.2 to 0.6), and substance use and infrequent physical activity with higher symptom levels (ORs ranging from 2.1 to 4.0). The associations with substance use were strengthened by social competence, but attenuated by family cohesion. The association with physical activity was attenuated by both social competence and family cohesion.

Conclusion

Symptoms of anxiety and depression were frequent in adolescents and were associated with unhealthy lifestyle factors as substance use and low physical activity. Resilience characteristics seemed to protect against symptoms and markedly influenced the associations between lifestyle factors and symptoms of anxiety and depression. The importance of family and other supportive relationships should be emphasized in treatment and prevention of anxiety and depression in adolescence.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the Liaison Committee between the Central Norway Regional Health Authority (RHA) and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) (Samarbeidsorganet), St Olav’s University Hospital, the foundation of Per Risteigent, the foundation of Solveig og Johan P Sommer and the foundation of Jon Nilsen og Maja-Jon Nilsen. We thank the adolescents who participated in the Young-HUNT study. The Young-HUNT study is a collaboration between the HUNT Research Centre, The Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), The Norwegian Institute of Public Health and the Nord-Trøndelag County Concil.

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Correspondence to Marit Skrove.

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Skrove, M., Romundstad, P. & Indredavik, M.S. Resilience, lifestyle and symptoms of anxiety and depression in adolescence: the Young-HUNT study. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 48, 407–416 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-012-0561-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-012-0561-2

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