Abstract
We aimed to study the hypothesis of socioeconomic equalization in health among Armenian adolescents participating in the Health Behavior in School-Aged Children 2013/14 survey. Classes corresponding to the ages 11, 13, and 15 were selected using a clustered sampling design. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used. In a nationally representative sample of 3679 students, adolescents with a low family socioeconomic position (SEP) had greater odds of reporting less than good health (odds ratio (OR) = 2.81, 95% CI = 2.25-3.51), low psychosocial well-being (OR = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.44-2.61), or psychosomatic symptoms (OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.07-1.56). Low levels of material well-being were associated with a higher likelihood of reporting less than good health (OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.06-1.65) or low psychosocial well-being (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.04-1.54). The presence of both risk factors had a synergistic effect on having low psychosocial well-being (P-interaction = 0.031). Refuting the equalization hypothesis, our results indicate that low SEP might be strongly related to adolescent health in middle-income countries such as Armenia. Low material well-being also proved important, and, for further research, we hypothesized an association via decreased peer social status and compromised popularity.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 4055 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |
Volume | 17 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jun 2020 |
Keywords
- adolescent
- Armenia
- equalization
- HBSC
- health status
- material well-being
- popularity
- psychosocial well-being
- psychosomatic symptoms
- socioeconomic status
- SOCIAL EQUALIZATION
- MENTAL-HEALTH
- PARENTS
- YOUTH
- DEPRESSION