1. Association of allergic diseases with children's life satisfaction: population-based study in Finland.
- Author
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Haanpää L, Af Ursin P, Nermes M, Kaljonen A, and Isolauri E
- Subjects
- Asthma, Child, Cross-Sectional Studies, Eczema, Female, Finland, Humans, Male, Prevalence, Surveys and Questionnaires, Hypersensitivity complications, Hypersensitivity psychology, Patient Satisfaction, Quality of Life
- Abstract
Objective: To assess the impact of allergic diseases on the subjective well-being and life satisfaction of primary-school children., Design: Population-based cohort., Setting: Finnish sample of children ages 10 and 12 from the International Survey of Children's Well-Being., Participants: Nationally representative sample of 1947 school children., Main Outcome Measure: Two different instruments to assess the child's own perception of well-being, the short version of the Student Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS) and the Brief Multidimensional Student Life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS)., Results: Altogether, 51.4% of children reported having at least one allergic condition (10.1% asthma, 23.8% eczema and 40.3% seasonal allergic rhinitis). A statistically significant distinction in life satisfaction emerged between non-allergic and allergic children (inferior in the latter). In particular, children with eczema were more likely to report a reduction in life satisfaction compared with non-allergic children (SLSS β=-128.220; BMSLSS β=-90.694; p<0.01). Apart from freedom from eczema, good life satisfaction was associated with a physically active lifestyle., Conclusions: Active allergic disease reduces the child's own perception of well-being. During clinical visits, more attention should be paid to the child's psychosocial status and impairments, which may differ substantially from those of parents or medical authorities., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.)
- Published
- 2018
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