The contribution of the BELLA study in filling the gap of knowledge on mental health and well-being in children and adolescents in Germany

Resilience, risk, mental health and well-being: associations and conceptual differences

“…For example, while the WHO has defined well-being as the 'presence of positive mental health' 6 [9, p. 10], others have equated it to 'happiness' (e.g., [30]). More commonly, however, two related but distinct constructs of well-being are used today: subjective and psychological well-being [16,30]: 6 "These outcomes are not just or necessarily a consequence of the absence of mental illness, but are associated with the presence of positive mental health, sometimes referred to as 'wellbeing'." [9, p. 10].…”

“…1). However, while frequently debated, the number of papers directly addressing these two concepts (indicated by their appearance in title and/or abstract) is far lower, with only six papers [1][2][3][4][5][6] carrying either term in their title (Fig. 1).…”

Relationship of Sleep Quality and Health-Related Quality of Life in Adolescents According to Self- and Proxy Ratings: A Questionnaire Survey

“…Research has proven that HRQoL can be measured reliably and validly in children and adolescents (Harding, 2001), for example with the KINDL -Questionnaire (Ravens-Sieberer and Bullinger, 1998b). The mental health module BELLA within the German Health Interview and Examination Survey of Children and Adolescents (KiGGS), provides HRQoL (measured with the KINDL ) in different age groups within a non-clinical sample (Ravens-Sieberer et al, 2008). Self-reported HRQoL decreases significantly between the age of 11 and 17, except for the “self-esteem” subscale, on which scores rise.…”

Prevalence of emotional and behavioural disorders in German children and adolescents: a meta-analysis

“…Whereas the mental health of children and adolescents was previously of subordinate significance compared with that of adults in that country, a change in thinking is beginning to take place due to the increasing threat posed by the persistent decline in birth rates to the national insurance system 41. Whereas national surveys have been conducted in the USA, UK and other countries since the 1980s, the first national health survey on child and adolescent health including a module on mental health has only recently been conducted in Germany (the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents; KiGGS) 42. The present paper thus examines the current state of empirical research, taking into account the following questions:

How high is the overall prevalence of emotional and behavioural disorders among children and adolescents in Germany?

How sensitive is this prevalence to variation in primary study effects as well as methodological and validity characteristics of the primary studies?

Is a secular trend observable?

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