Parental Household Income and Adolescents’ Health-Related Quality of Life
1
Nursing and physiotherapy, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
2
Research Group on Nursing, Community and Global Health, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
3
NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare Associated Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2283
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Socioeconomic determinants of health are widely examined in public health research and policy, with family socioeconomic position consistently associated with child and adolescent health outcomes. This study examines the association between parental-reported household income and adolescents’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
METHODS:
We analysed cross-sectional data from a population-based sample of 508 adolescents aged 12–17 years, recruited in 2022–2024 from eight randomly selected compulsory secondary schools in Palma (Spain). Parental-reported household income was categorised into three groups (<€1500; €1500–2000; >€2000 per month). HRQoL was assessed using the KIDSCREEN-27 questionnaire with five dimensions: physical well-being, psychological well-being, parent relations, peers and social support, and school environment. Domain-specific Rasch person parameter estimates were transformed into T-scores using age- and sex-specific Spanish normative data. Feelings of loneliness were assessed using a single item and categorised as often, sometimes, or never. Associations between household income, loneliness and HRQoL domains were examined using multivariable general linear models adjusted for age and sex.
RESULTS:
The mean age of participants was 14.1±1.34 years, and 56.8% were girls. Girls reported significantly lower HRQoL scores than boys across all dimensions, showing the largest and relevant differences in psychological well-being (Adjusted mean differences [AMD]=6.2; 95%CI:4.6-7.7). Adolescents in the lowest household income category had significantly lower HRQoL scores than those in the highest income category across all dimensions with differences most evident in physical well-being (AMD=6.8 (95%CI: 4.3–9.3). Feelings of loneliness were strongly and significantly associated with all five HRQoL dimensions and partially mediated the association between household income and HRQoL.
CONCLUSIONS:
Lower parental household income was associated with poorer HRQoL among adolescents across all dimensions, highlighting socioeconomic inequality as a determinant of adolescent well-being. Policies aimed at improving equitable access to health-promoting resources may contribute to meaningful improvements in adolescents’ quality of life.
Socioeconomic determinants of health are widely examined in public health research and policy, with family socioeconomic position consistently associated with child and adolescent health outcomes. This study examines the association between parental-reported household income and adolescents’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
METHODS:
We analysed cross-sectional data from a population-based sample of 508 adolescents aged 12–17 years, recruited in 2022–2024 from eight randomly selected compulsory secondary schools in Palma (Spain). Parental-reported household income was categorised into three groups (<€1500; €1500–2000; >€2000 per month). HRQoL was assessed using the KIDSCREEN-27 questionnaire with five dimensions: physical well-being, psychological well-being, parent relations, peers and social support, and school environment. Domain-specific Rasch person parameter estimates were transformed into T-scores using age- and sex-specific Spanish normative data. Feelings of loneliness were assessed using a single item and categorised as often, sometimes, or never. Associations between household income, loneliness and HRQoL domains were examined using multivariable general linear models adjusted for age and sex.
RESULTS:
The mean age of participants was 14.1±1.34 years, and 56.8% were girls. Girls reported significantly lower HRQoL scores than boys across all dimensions, showing the largest and relevant differences in psychological well-being (Adjusted mean differences [AMD]=6.2; 95%CI:4.6-7.7). Adolescents in the lowest household income category had significantly lower HRQoL scores than those in the highest income category across all dimensions with differences most evident in physical well-being (AMD=6.8 (95%CI: 4.3–9.3). Feelings of loneliness were strongly and significantly associated with all five HRQoL dimensions and partially mediated the association between household income and HRQoL.
CONCLUSIONS:
Lower parental household income was associated with poorer HRQoL among adolescents across all dimensions, highlighting socioeconomic inequality as a determinant of adolescent well-being. Policies aimed at improving equitable access to health-promoting resources may contribute to meaningful improvements in adolescents’ quality of life.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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