Negative mood states and related factors in a sample of adolescent secondary-school students in Barcelona (Spain).
BACKGROUND
Poor mental health is a common problem in adolescence. Little information is available, however, about the factors influencing negative mood states in otherwise healthy adolescents. We aimed to describe the mood states and related factors in a sample of adolescents in the city of Barcelona (Spain).


METHODS
We administered a health survey to a sample of 2,727 students from public, subsidized, and private schools in Barcelona, aged approximately 14, 16, and 18 years old. To analyze the associations among moods and related factors, we used bivariate logistic regression, and fitted multivariate logistic regressions using the statistically significant variables from the bivariate analysis. To examine the possible group effects of the school on individual students, we employed multilevel analysis.


RESULTS
The frequencies of negative mood states increased with age, with girls consistently reporting more frequent negative mood states than boys. The factors associated with negative mood states were problematic alcohol use, perceived mistreatment or abuse, antisocial behavior, intention to use or current use of illegal drugs (not including cannabis), lower perceived academic performance, and feeling isolated.


CONCLUSIONS
Mood states are influenced by lifestyle and social factors, about which there is little local information. To plan and implement appropriate public health interventions, more complete information about the possible areas of influence is required. To complement the information obtained from studies such as the present study, longitudinal and qualitative studies would be desirable.
Ahonen
Emily Q
EQ
Evaluation and Intervention Methods Service, Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Nebot
Manel
M
Giménez
Emmanuel
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000339:Affect; D000367:Age Factors; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012574:Schools / Q000145:classification / Q000191:economics; D012737:Sex Factors; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D012934:Social Isolation; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology