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Aim: This national study of schoolchildren in Greece investigated the association between adolescents' subjective health complaints (SHC) and a number of family characteristics., Methods: Questionnaires were completed by a random, school-based sample of children from 12 to 18 years of age, and one of their parents (76.6% mothers), in 2003. Data from 1041 adolescent-parent pairs were analysed. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the associations between the adolescent's SHC and the following characteristics: parent's marital status, parent's physical and mental health status, parent's worries about their child's SHC, the parent-child relationship, family cohesion, family socio-economic status and the adolescent's sex and age., Results: The analysis showed that the adolescents' SHC were independently and significantly correlated with poor parental subjective mental health status, poor quality parent-child relationships and parental worry. There were also associations between levels of SHC and female and older adolescents., Conclusion: Certain family features can be seen as potential contributing factors to SHC in adolescence and should therefore constitute complementary targets for prevention and treatment planning., (©2013 Foundation Acta Paediatrica. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: This study aimed at examining the relationship between parental subjective health status and adolescents' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as well as the role of gender, socioeconomic status, presence of chronic health care needs and social support on the above interaction., Methods: Questionnaires were administered to a Greek nation-wide random sample of adolescents (N = 1,194) aged 11-18 years and their parents (N = 973) in 2003. Adolescents' and parents' status was assessed, together with reports of socio-economic status and level of social support. Various statistical tests were used to determine the extent to which these variables were related to each other., Results and Discussion: Parental subjective mental health status was significantly correlated with adolescents' better physical and psychological wellbeing, moods and emotions, parent-child relationships, school environment and financial resources. Parental subjective physical health status was strongly associated with more positive adolescents' self-perception. Adolescents' male gender, younger age, absence of chronic health care needs, high social support, and higher family income were positively associated with better HRQoL., Conclusions: This study reinforces the importance of parental subjective health status, along with other variables, as a significant factor for the adolescents' HRQoL.

Aim: To investigate the associations of some family characteristics with adolescents’ self-reported emotional/behavioural problems. Methods: Questionnaires were administered to a Greek nation-wide random sample of adolescents (N = 1194) aged 11–18 years and their parents (N = 973) in 2003. The present analysis included the questionnaires completed by mothers and their offspring (639 families). Adolescents’ emotional/behavioural problems, as measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, were assessed in relation to family socioeconomic status and residence type, parental marital status, educational attainment and subjective mental health, family cohesion and parent–child relations. Results: The analysis showed that parental marital status other than being married, poor parent–child relations and low levels of maternal subjective mental health were independently correlated with significantly more adolescents’ emotional/behavioural problems. Conclusion: Family factors are potential determinants of adolescent emotional/behavioural problems and therefore are potential targets for prevention and/or intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]