Health-related quality of life, anxiety and depression in young adults with disability benefits due to childhood-onset somatic conditions

Abstract

BackgroundAs the treatment of chronic or life-threatening diseased children has dramatically over recent decades, more and more paediatric patients reach adulthood. Some of these patients are successfully integrating into adult life; leaving home, developing psychosocially, and defining a role for themselves in the community through employment. However, despite careful guidance and support, many others do not succeed. A growing number of adolescents and young adults who have had a somatic disease or disability since childhood apply for disability benefits. The purpose of this study was to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), anxiety and depression of young adults receiving disability benefits because of somatic conditions compared to reference groups from the general Dutch population and to explore factors related to their HRQoL, anxiety and depression.MethodsYoung adults (N = 377, 22–31 yrs, 64.3% female) claiming disability benefits completed the RAND-36 and an online version of the HADS. Differences between respondents and both reference groups were tested using analysis of variance and logistic regression analysis by group and age (and gender). Regression analyses were conducted to predict HRQoL (Mental and Physical Component Scale; RAND-36) and Anxiety and Depression (HADS) by demographic and disease-related variables.ResultsThe respondents reported worse HRQoL than the reference group (−1.76 Physical Component Scale; -0.48 Mental Component Scale), and a higher percentage were at risk for an anxiety (29.7%) and depressive (17.0%) disorder. Better HRQoL and lower levels of anxiety and depression were associated with a positive course of the illness and the use of medical devices.ConclusionsThis study has found worse HRQoL and feelings of anxiety and depression experienced by young adults claiming disability benefits. Healthcare providers, including paediatric healthcare providers, should pay systematic attention to the emotional functioning of patients growing up with a somatic condition in order to optimise their emotional well-being and adaptation to society during their transition to adulthood. Future research should focus on emotional functioning in more detail in order to identify those patients that are most likely to develop difficulties in emotional functioning and who would benefit from specific psychosocial support aimed at workforce participation.

Psychological well-being and chronic condition in Portuguese adolescents

“…International Journal of Adolescence and Youth 7 Therefore, youth living with a CC seems to be at higher risk for psychological wellbeing. These data support the suggested hypothesis in this study and reported in the literature, indicating that adolescents living with a CC can have increased vulnerability for an emotional and psychological healthy development (Bernstein et al, 2011;Verhoof et al, 2012), presenting more internalised symptoms, such as depression (Miyazaki et al, 2006;Vanhalst et al, 2013) and anxiety (Lavigne & Faier-Routman, 1992), and this can continue as a risk factor for later in adulthood (Verhoof et al, 2013).…”

“…In Portugal, the studies Health Behaviour School-Aged Children (HBSC) (Matos & Equipa Aventura Social, 2000 and Kidscreen (Gaspar & Matos, 2008) have been also pointing out higher vulnerability in this population. Living with a CC while growing up may also contribute for worse health-related quality of life and symptoms of anxiety and depression in young adults (Verhoof, Maurice-Stam, Heymans, & Grootenhuis, 2013), placing them at higher risk for poor vocational/educational and social outcomes (Maslow, Haydon, McRee, Ford, & Halpern, 2011).…”

Psychosocial support for children and families requiring renal replacement therapy

“…In 377 young adults aged 22-31 years who have grown up with a somatic condition there was worse QoL and feelings of anxiety (29.7 %) and depression (17 %) in those claiming disability benefits [63]. The author suggests that future research might need to focus on emotional functioning and specific psychosocial support aimed at workforce participation.…”

Happiness of Male Adolescents With Disabled Physical Mobility: Benefits of Mental Rehabilitation Based on Positive Thinking Skills Training

“…Disabled adolescents are less satisfied with their lives and school activities (satisfaction), have less positive feelings about life, are socially less active (Well-being), and show less feelings of being included (Social belonging) in comparison to their healthy peers [8]. Some studies showed that people with physical mobility disability reported worse Quality of life than the reference group and a higher percentage were at a risk of anxiety and depressive disorder [9].…”