The Association between Adolescents’ Experiences of Close Relatives Having Severe Health Conditions and Their Own Mental Health—A Population-Based School Study

Abstract

Adolescents with close relatives having severe health conditions or who have died (RSHC) are vulnerable, and this has long-term influences on their lives and health. This study investigated how adolescents with RSHC experiences reported having poor mental health and protective factors and the combined influence of these compared to their peers who had not had these experiences. A cross-sectional school-based survey among students aged 15–18 years (N = 3410) in Sörmland, Sweden, was used to analyse the association between poor mental health and experiences from having one or several RSHC experiences with physical illness, mental illness, or substance abuse/gambling disorder, as well as having relatives who have died. Logistic regression models were performed, adjusting for background factors, and protective factors against poor mental health related to school, home relations, safety in everyday life, and lifestyle were assessed. Adolescents with one RSHC experience had an OR of 1.45 (95% CI: 1.23–1.72) for poor mental health, and those with several RSHC experiences had an OR of 2.35 (95% CI: 1.94–2.84) compared to those with no RSHC experiences. The greatest OR for poor mental health was seen among adolescents with the combination of several RSHC experiences and few protective factors against poor mental health (18.83; 95% CI: 11.86–29.91). Adolescents with RSHC experiences have increased odds of poor mental health compared to adolescents without these experiences, especially those with several RSHC experiences and few protective factors. When meeting adolescents with RSHC experiences, supporting their key protective factors may play an important role in improving mental health.