Impact of emotional and behavioral symptoms on quality of life in children and adolescents

Abstract

To evaluate how levels of anxiety, depressive and behavioral symptoms influence self-perceived quality of life (QOL) in general population of children and adolescents. A total of 237 children and adolescents aged 8-18 years participated in the study. The Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders Questionnaire (SCARED), Short Mood and Feeling Questionnaire (SMFQ) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were used to assess levels of anxiety, depressive and behavioral symptoms, respectively. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) was used for QOL assessments. In a regression model, the PedsQL score was the dependent variable, while anxiety, depressive and behavioral symptoms were the QOL predictors. In children, the SCARED and SMFQ scores together with age and gender explained 30 % of the variance in the PedsQL scores (F = 12.31, p < 0.001), while in adolescents, the same set of variables was responsible for 36 % of the variance (F = 15.77, p < 0.001). The SCARED was a more significant predictor than the SMFQ. The SDQ scores did not emerge as the PedsQL predictors. Levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms, but not behavioral ones, significantly affect self-reported QOL in general population of children and adolescents.