Is Mental Health Competence in Childhood Associated With Health Risk Behaviors in Adolescence? Findings From the UK Millennium Cohort Study

Emeline Rougeaux,Steven Hope,Russell M Viner,Jessica Deighton,Catherine Law,Anna Pearce

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.04.023

Abstract

PurposePromoting positive mental health, particularly through enhancing competencies (such as prosocial behaviors and learning skills), may help prevent the development of health risk behaviors in adolescence and thus support future well-being. Few studies have examined how mental health competencies in childhood are associated with adolescent health risk behaviors, which could inform preventative approaches. MethodsUsing UK Millennium Cohort Study data (n = 10,142), we examined how mental health competence (MHC) measured at the end of elementary school (11 years) is associated with self-reported use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, alcohol, illegal drugs, antisocial behavior, and sexual contact with another young person at age 14 years. A latent measure of MHC was used, capturing aspects of prosocial behavior and learning skills, categorized as high MHC, high–moderate MHC, moderate MHC, and low MHC. Logistic and multinomial regression estimated odds ratios and relative risk ratios for binary and categorical outcomes, respectively, before and after adjusting for confounders. Weights accounted for sample design and attrition and multiple imputation for item missingness. ResultsThose with low, moderate, or high-moderate MHC at age 11 years were more likely to have taken part in health risk behaviors at age 14 years compared with those with high MHC. The largest associations were seen for low MHC with binge drinking (relative risk ratio: 1.6 [95% confidence interval: 1.1–2.4]), having tried cigarettes (odds ratio: 2.2 [95% confidence interval: 1.6-3.1]) and tried illegal drugs (odds ratio: 2.0 [95% confidence interval: 1.3-3.1) after adjusting for confounders (which attenuated results but largely maintained significant findings). ConclusionsMHC in late childhood is associated with health risk behaviors in midadolescence. Interventions that increase children's MHC may support healthy development during adolescence, with the potential to improve health and well-being through to adulthood.

Highlights

Promoting positive mental health, through enhancing competencies, may help prevent the development of health risk behaviors in adolescence and support future well-being
Most cohort members were categorized as having high mental health competence (MHC) (36%) or high-moderate MHC (36%) at age 11 years, with 19% and 9% as having low-moderate and low MHC, respectively
A measure of MHC reflecting learning skills and prosocial behaviors in late childhood was associated with health risk behaviors at age 14 years

Summary

Introduction

Through enhancing competencies (such as prosocial behaviors and learning skills), may help prevent the development of health risk behaviors in adolescence and support future well-being. Few studies have examined how mental health competencies in childhood are associated with adolescent health risk behaviors, which could inform preventative approaches. Higher childhood mental health competence (MHC), reflecting prosocial behaviors and learning skills, is associated with lower likelihood of health risk behaviors in UK adolescents. These competencies have been improved in trials in school and early years’ settings and hold potential for improving health and well-being across the life course

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