Alberto Borraccino1, Paola Berchialla2, Paola Dalmasso3, Veronica Sciannameo3, Alessio Vieno4, Giacomo Lazzeri5, Lorena Charrier3, Patrizia Lemma3. 1. Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Torino, Piazza Polonia, 94, 10126, Turin, Italy. alberto.borraccino@unito.it. 2. Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, Turin, Italy. 3. Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Torino, Piazza Polonia, 94, 10126, Turin, Italy. 4. Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy. 5. Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work was to study whether and to what extent selected connectedness variables (perceived family, peer, and school support) are protective factors against low life satisfaction and high health complaints in immigrant youth with different ethnic backgrounds, while also taking into account the effect of socioeconomic status (SES). METHODS: A representative sample of 47,799 students (15% immigrants, among whom 4980 were from non-Western countries) aged 11, 13, and 15 years were recruited from schools throughout Italy within the framework of the Italian 2013/2014 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study. Bayesian network analyses were used to assess the association between connectedness variables, and low life satisfaction and high health complaints. RESULTS: The connectedness variables family and school support were strong protective factors against both low life satisfaction and high health complaints (99% probability of relative risk < 1 in all subgroup comparisons). This protective role was still present when subgroups with high SES were compared. Peer support also showed a protective effect, though it was weaker. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that, among immigrant youth, perceived high support can act as a moderator on the effect of environmental stressors. In line with international guidelines, these results confirm that public health professionals should create school interventions that foster a culture of inclusiveness, promote a supportive school environment, and engage families of immigrant youth.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work was to study whether and to what extent selected connectedness variables (perceived family, peer, and school support) are protective factors against low life satisfaction and high health complaints in immigrant youth with different ethnic backgrounds, while also taking into account the effect of socioeconomic status (SES). METHODS: A representative sample of 47,799 students (15% immigrants, among whom 4980 were from non-Western countries) aged 11, 13, and 15 years were recruited from schools throughout Italy within the framework of the Italian 2013/2014 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study. Bayesian network analyses were used to assess the association between connectedness variables, and low life satisfaction and high health complaints. RESULTS: The connectedness variables family and school support were strong protective factors against both low life satisfaction and high health complaints (99% probability of relative risk < 1 in all subgroup comparisons). This protective role was still present when subgroups with high SES were compared. Peer support also showed a protective effect, though it was weaker. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that, among immigrant youth, perceived high support can act as a moderator on the effect of environmental stressors. In line with international guidelines, these results confirm that public health professionals should create school interventions that foster a culture of inclusiveness, promote a supportive school environment, and engage families of immigrant youth.
Entities:
Keywords:
Adolescent immigrants; Connectedness; HBSC; Health complaint; Life satisfaction; Perceived well-being
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