Social determinants of self-reported emotional and behavioral problems in Greek adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to assess the social factors associated with self-reported emotional and behavioral problems among Greek adolescents.


METHODS
At age 18, a population-based sample of 3373 Greek adolescents completed the Youth Self-Report (YSR) questionnaire.


RESULTS
The results from the multivariate analysis indicated that both lack of intimate friendships and not having parental monitoring were independently associated with problem behavior among both male and female adolescents. Engagement in sexual activities was significantly associated with higher YSR scores among both genders. Absence of academic motivation was associated with higher YSR scores in girls only.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results confirm that social factors, including negative family functions, lack of academic motivation and not having close friends, were associated with emotional and behavioral problems among adolescents and imply the need to develop a supportive social network for adolescents.
Kapi
Aikaterini
A
1st Dept. of Pediatrics, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, University of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece.
Veltsista
Alexandra
A
Kavadias
George
G
Lekea
Vasso
V
Bakoula
Chryssa
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D009042:Motivation; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D012650:Self Disclosure; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012919:Social Behavior; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires