[Resilience--from theory to empirical research].
Resilience refers to mechanisms that enable young people to sustain good health and harmonic development despite adversities.


OBJECTIVE
to present resilience theory and one example of empirical evidence.


METHODS
the survey was carried out in 2006, on the representative sample of 2287 adolescents (average age 15.7) in the frame of HBSC (Health Behaviour in School-aged Children) study. As an outcome measure, a syndrome of two or more subjective complaints experienced more than once a week was selected. We assumed that negative perception of peer environment could be a risk factor. A scale measuring use of psychoactive substances, categorized into 2 levels, was applied. As protective factors, two dichotomous variables describing family were chosen: easiness to talk to parents and quality of family relationships. RESULTS showed that 29.2% boys and 45.9% girls suffered from multiple subjective complaints. The prevalence of these complaints increased in adolescents representing negative perception of peer environment, compared to the most positive perception (for girls: from 37.9% to 57.5%, p < 0.001; for boys: from 19.7% to 39.1%, p < 0.001), but the rate of change was lower in more supportive families. Logistic regression model indicated significant interaction between risk and protective factors, but was valid only in boys and in the model including quality of family relationships.


CONCLUSIONS
Good family relationships are recognized as a protective factor reducing negative influence of peers on adolescent subjective health. It is important to reach the group of adolescents reporting accumulation of poor family relationships and a high risk peer environment.
Mazur
Joanna
J
Zakład Ochrony i Promocji Zdrowia Dzieci i Młodziezy, Instytut Matki i Dziecka w Warszawie. joanna.mazur@imid.med.pl
Tabak
Izabela
I
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010379:Peer Group; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors