Adolescent mental health in military families: Evidence from the Canadian Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study.

Abstract

To investigate the association between physical and mental health symptoms in adolescents and having a parent in the Canadian Armed Forces and the moderation of these associations by various sources of social support. We used data on a nationally representative sample of 18,886 adolescents (11-15years) in the 2017/18 Canadian Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study (HBSC). Survey assessments included multi-item scales of mental and physical health symptoms and sources of social support (peers, families, classmates, and teachers). Poisson regression was used to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRR) of weekly symptoms in military versus non-military youths. Moderation of differences between these groups were tested using interactions of variables representing support and military families. Military youth, compared to non-military youth, reported more mental health symptoms (IRR = 1.20; 95% CI 1.08, 1.33) but only marginally more physical symptoms (IRR = 1.15; 95% CI 1.00, 1.33) in the previous week. These associations were stronger in youths who reported lower levels of peer support (IRR = 0.99; 95% CI 0.98, 1.00 [mental health symptoms]; IRR = 0.98; 95% CI 0.97, 1.00 [physical health symptoms]). Support from families, classmates and teachers did not moderate differences in mental or physical symptoms. Canadian adolescents in military families have increased risk for experiencing poor mental health. Peer support may play a protective role, however further research is needed to guide clinical interventions for this unique population.