Age relative to school class peers and emotional well-being in 10-year-olds.

Shuntaro Ando,Satoshi Usami,Kiyoto Kasai,George Patton,Atsushi Nishida,Tsukasa Sasaki,Shinya Fujikawa,Syudo Yamasaki,Shinsuke Koike,Mariko Hiraiwa-Hasegawa,Michiko Ueda,Tetsuya Matsubayashi,Luca Cerniglia

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0214359

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of age relative to school (i.e., class or grade level) peers on emotional well-being and the role of possible mediators of this effect in early adolescence using a large set of individual-level data from a community survey.MethodsA large community-based survey of 10-year-old children and their primary parents was conducted in Tokyo, where the school entry cutoff date is fixed. Emotional well-being was assessed by the WHO (Five) Well-Being Index (WHO-5). Academic performance and the experience of being bullied at school were also evaluated as potential mediators of the effect of relative age.ResultsA total of 4,478 children participated in the study. In a univariate linear regression analysis, the relative birthdate (continuous variable starting from the school entry date and ending at the last date of the academic grade) was negatively associated with emotional well-being (β = -0.043, p = .005). The path analyses suggested that academic performance and bullying mediated the relationship between the relative birthdate and emotional well-being (both p < .01).ConclusionsAmong a sample of 10-year-olds, children who were younger compared to class peers had lower levels of emotional well-being. Academic performance and victimization by peers mediated the relationship.

Highlights

Child and adolescent mental health is the issue of top priority globally
The path analyses suggested that academic performance and bullying mediated the relationship between the relative birthdate and emotional well-being
Mental health problems often have their onset in late childhood and adolescence [1] and are regarded as major causes of disease burden in young people globally [2]

Summary

Introduction

Mental health problems often have their onset in late childhood and adolescence [1] and are regarded as major causes of disease burden in young people globally [2]. In some, they are an antecedent to suicide [3], one of the leading causes of mortality among young people [4]. To promote emotional wellbeing by reforming educational and social systems and policies, we need an evidence base for the underlying factors of relative age effect

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