The impact of the economic crisis on the mental health of Portuguese primary-school children

Objective

To measure the impact of the economic crisis on the mental health correlates of Portuguese children attending primary school during 2016.

Methods

Cross-sectional analysis of primary school-aged children and their parents (n = 1157), conducted in public and private schools of three Portuguese districts. Parent reports of children mental health symptoms (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire - SDQ) and children self-reports of health-related quality of life (KIDSCREEN-27) and depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales, Children version - DASS-C), were compared according to a set of yes/no questions on how the economic crisis changed the normal aspects of routine life (e.g. During the financial crisis did you had to use savings? Started buying cheaper food?). Linear regression models were fitted for the SDQ, the KIDSCREEN-27 and the DASS-C as dependent variables adjusted for children sex, socioeconomic status and district of residence.

Results

Affirmative answers to the crisis impact questions were associated with more frequent psychosocial functioning problems in children, with poorer self-reported health-related quality of life and with more frequent symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress.

Conclusions

Portuguese children mental health correlates show significant worse scores for those whose parents declared having to change daily routine habits as a result of the recent macroeconomic financial crisis, compared to those who did not change habits. Public Health programs should be developed to mitigate the potential negative impact of the financial crisis to the mental health of children.

Key messages

A negative impact on children mental health was observed as a result of the economic crisis. Public health programs designed to mitigate the impact of the economic crisis should include primary-school aged children.

Overweight Risk and Food Habits in Portuguese Pre-school Children

The relationship between dietary intake and overweight-risk was assessed in 4349 children aged 3–5 years. Eating and sedentary behaviours were assessed by questionnaire. Logistic regressions were used. Children who consumed daily soft-drinks were 1.52 times more likely to be obese, and 72% more likely to be classified as overweight children.