Quality of life assessment among socially vulnerable adolescents

Abstract

Objective: To assess the quality of life of socially vulnerable adolescents. Methods: Quantitative exploratory study conducted from November 2014 to February 2015 in Recife, Pernambuco, with 86 adolescents of both genders. The Kidscreen-52 questionnaire was used to assess and measure the subjective health-related quality of life (QoL) through ten dimensions: “Physical Well-being”; “Psychological Well-being”; “Moods and Emotions”; “Self-perception”; “Autonomy”; “Parent Relations and Home Life”; “Financial Resources”; “Social Support and Peers”; “School Environment”; and “Social Acceptance/Bullying” – all of them were analyzed using t test, with p<0.05. Results: The dimensions “Psychological Well-being” (x=86.01) and Social Acceptance/Bullying (x=85.59) presented the best rates; on the other hand, “Financial Resources” (x=66.43) and “Self-perception” (x=72.62) presented the worst rates. With regard to the domains by sex, significant difference was found in the dimensions “Physical Well-being” (p=0.0051), “Psychological Wellbeing” (p=0.0342), “Moods and Emotions” (p=0.0226), “Autonomy” (p=0.0287), “Parent Relations and Home Life” (p=0.0077) and “Social Support and Peers” (p=0.0058), indicating a better perception by male participants. Conclusion: The adolescents assessed have a good perception of QoL; however, the boys showed better perception in all domains, and this directly affects their QoL. NCT: 28559614.8.0000.5208