Family Meals and Mental Health Indicators of Adolescents: Findings From a National Study

Abstract

Family meals are associated with better adolescent nutrition and general wellbeing. However, few studies have examined the relationship between family meals and adolescent mental health, using validated measures of both positive and negative affect. The current study describes the relationship between family meals and adolescent mental health and determines if the relationship differs by sex. Data were collected as part of Youth’12, a nationally representative health and wellbeing survey. In total, 8,500 adolescents in New Zealand completed the survey in 2012. Mental health was measured using previously validated instruments, including the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the World Health Organization Wellbeing Index. Multiple regression models determined the relationships between family meals and the mental health indicators, with age, sex, ethnicity, small area deprivation, and household poverty included as covariates. Results were considered significant at p<0.05. Approximately 60% of adolescents shared family meals five or more times in the previous week, while 22% reported that they shared fewer than 2 meals in the previous week. Greater frequency of family meals was associated with fewer depressive symptoms (p<0.001), fewer emotional difficulties (p<0.001) and better emotional wellbeing (p<0.001). These relationships differed by sex, such that the relationships were stronger for females than males. Frequent family meals may have a protective effect on the mental health of adolescents, particularly for girls. Interventions that aim to increase the frequency of family meals are needed to evaluate if family meals alone can have an emotional benefit for adolescents.