title: The association between medical conditions and gender, well-being, psychosomatic complaints as well as school adaptability.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to assess the association between medical conditions and gender, well-being, psychosomatic complaints and school adaptability. The second aim was to determine whether self-reported medical conditions should be included in class-room questionnaires that deal with well-being and risk behaviour.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional class-room questionnaire was given to all 15- to 16-year-olds within a Swedish county. The questionnaire included background factors, subjective health, well-being, psychosomatic complaints, self image, drug use and also several themes from the school context. In addition, there were 13 medical conditions/problems to tick (yes or no) and an open alternative for other problems/medical conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  3108 questionnaires (response rate 84%) were analysed. The majority of the girls and the boys reported no medical conditions; however, 49% of the girls and 39% of the boys reported at least one medical condition. The medical conditions were associated with gender, well-being, psychosomatic complaints and school adaptability. The association was stronger for girls than for boys.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Medical conditions among these teenagers were associated with gender, well-being, psychosomatic complaints and school adaptability, particularly for girls. Our results suggest that medical conditions could preferably be included in regular classroom questionnaires.
authors: Primary Care Research Unit, County Council of Värmland, Karlstad, Sweden. olssonann@yahoo.com
authors: Ann
authors: A
authors: Olsson
authors: Mikael
authors: M
authors: Hasselgren
authors: Curt
authors: C
authors: Hagquist
authors: Staffan
authors: S
authors: Janson
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology