Abstract
Quality of life (QoL) is significantly lower in children with mental health issues compared to those who are typically developing or have physical health problems. However, little research has examined factors associated with QoL in this particularly vulnerable population. To address this limitation, 347 clinically referred children and adolescents were assessed using the interRAI Child and Youth Mental Health (ChYMH) Assessment and Self-reported Quality of Life- Child and Youth Mental Health (QoL-ChYMH). Hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine QoL at the domain-specific level. Children and adolescents who experienced heightened anhedonia and depressive symptoms reported lower social QoL (e.g., family, friends and activities; p = 0.024, 0.046, respectively). Additionally, children and youth who experienced heightened depressive symptoms reported lower QoL at the individual level (e.g., autonomy, health; p = 0.000), and level of basic needs (e.g., food, safety; p = 0.013). In contrast, no mental state indicators were associated with QoL related to services (e.g., school, treatment). Due to the paucity of research examining predictors of QoL in children and youth with mental health challenges, this study contributes to the field in assisting service providers with care planning and further providing implications for practice.
Highlights
Untreated mental health issues can have an adverse impact on both individuals and society
While a vast amount of research has investigated determinants of quality of life (QoL) in adults with mental illness, including sociodemographic data, symptom severity, functionality, personality factors, and social interactions [e.g., [5,6,7]], the same is not true for the pediatric population. To address this gap in the literature, the present study examined whether certain factors were associated with QoL in children and youth receiving mental health services
The present study examined the association between the severity level of various mental state indicators and domain-specific QoL, among a sample of children and youth referred for mental health care
Summary
Untreated mental health issues can have an adverse impact on both individuals and society. While a vast amount of research has investigated determinants of QoL in adults with mental illness, including sociodemographic data, symptom severity, functionality, personality factors, and social interactions [e.g., [5,6,7]], the same is not true for the pediatric population. To address this gap in the literature, the present study examined whether certain factors (i.e., mental state indicators) were associated with QoL in children and youth receiving mental health services. There has been an increase in the development and use of QoL tools in recent decades, which has coincided with a shift within the healthcare system towards recognizing the importance of the client’s preferences and life experiences in addition to
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