Changes in the quality of life in teenagers studying in closed general educational institutions

Abstract

Introduction. The quality of life reflects a personal health state and its ability to live a normal and fulfilling life.
 Study purpose: the quality of life (QoL) determination in teenagers studying in closed general educational institutions in Barnaul.
 Materials and methods. The study included one hundred sixty eight teenagers studying in closed general educational institutions in the city of Barnaul. The quality of life indicators were estimated using a valid, randomized Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire PEDsQL™4.0, for children aged up 13 to 18 years. There were obtained such 5 QoL indicators as physical, emotional, social and school functioning and psychosocial health.
 Results. The analysis of the results of QoL indicators by teenagers revealed that the generalized QoL indicator in the general group of children was equal to 77.71 scores. The highest score was obtained for the indicator of physical functioning — 88.29 scores. The social functioning scale took the next place in terms of total scores — 83.57. The lowest scores on scales related to QoL were noted in emotional functioning — 67.73 scores and school environment — 70.47 scores. Based on the results it was possible to establish that the lowest scores were obtained on the scales of emotional and school functioning, which compared with the total score, shows a lower integrated indicator of psychosocial health and is equal to 73.81 scores.
 Conclusion. To prevent undesirable consequences for the health of adolescents with low QoL indicators, a protective and developmental regime should be recommended and, if necessary, dispensary supervision of a pediatrician with additional involvement of doctors of narrow specialties on an individual basis.