Abstract
Aim: To identify the factors associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among early elementary age children (5–6 years) from a general population sample. Methods: We analyzed data of 4,202 children from the Generation R Study, a population-based cohort study in the Netherlands. Children's physical and psychosocial HRQOL were measured using the Child Health Questionnaire Parent Form 28 (CHQ-PF28). Associations between socio-demographic characteristics (child age, sex, ethnic background, family situation, parental educational level, parental employment status, and net household income), health-related lifestyle behaviors (physical activity and screen time), health conditions (number of chronic conditions, emotional and behavioral problems, and family functioning) and children's physical and psychosocial HRQOL were assessed using multivariate regression analyses. Results: Mean child age was 6.0 years (SD: 0.43); 63.6% had a majority (Dutch) ethnic background. Children with a non-western ethnic background, and children of unemployed mothers had a lower physical HRQOL (all p < 0.05). Older children, boys, and children from single-parent or low educated families had a lower psychosocial HRQOL (all p < 0.05). Children from a low income household family, children having chronic conditions or emotional and behavioral problems, or from families with relatively high “pathological family functioning” reported both lower physical and psychosocial HRQOL (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: Indicators of adverse socioeconomic and family circumstances and indicators of child health problems were associated with lower HRQOL. Public health initiatives to improve HRQOL of children should prioritize children from a low socioeconomic status or with less favorable health conditions from early age onwards.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 785054 |
| Journal | Frontiers in Public Health |
| Volume | 9 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 27 Jan 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The Generation R Study is conducted by the Erasmus Medical Center in close collaboration with the School of Law and Faculty of Social Sciences of the Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Municipal Health Service Rotterdam area, Rotterdam, the Rotterdam Homecare Foundation, Rotterdam, and the Stichting Trombosedienst and Artsenlaboratorium Rijnmond (STAR-MDC), Rotterdam. The authors wish to thank the study participants for their contribution to the study, as well as current and past investigators and staff.
Funding Information:
FE-L received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie (Grant No. 707404).
Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2022 You, van Grieken, Estévez-López, Yang-Huang and Raat.
