Influence of Self-Esteem and Psychiatric Diagnosis on Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents with School Refusal Behavior

Abstract

Hiroki Matsuura,1 Hidemi Iwasaka,2 Satoko Nezu,3 Toyosaku Ota,4 Kosuke Okazaki,4 Kazuhiko Yamamuro,4 Yoko Nakanishi,5 Naoko Kishimoto,4 Junzo Iida,6 Toshifumi Kishimoto4 1Department of Psychiatry, Nara Prefecture General Rehabilitation Center, Shiki-Gun, Nara, Japan; 2Developmental Center for Child and Adult, Shigisan Hospital, Ikoma-Gun, Nara, Japan; 3Department of Epidemiology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan; 4Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan; 5Department of Psychiatry, Akitsu Kounoike Hospital, Gose, Nara, Japan; 6Faculty of Nursing, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, JapanCorrespondence: Toyosaku OtaDepartment of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijyo-Cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, JapanTel [phone]Fax [phone]Email [email protected]: School refusal behavior (SRB), which is the refusal to attend or remain in school, has been associated with emotional, psychological, and other behavioral problems, as well as a lower health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, the effects of self-esteem and a psychiatric diagnosis in students with SRB on HRQOL are not yet known. Understanding these relationships could help to develop more effective therapeutic interventions.Methods: A total of 175 young people (aged 8– 18 years old) who visited our medical centers and outpatient clinics participated in the study. This comprised the SRB group (n = 70) and an age- and sex-matched control group (n = 105). Information about any psychiatric diagnosis was collected from medical records, HRQOL was measured using the J-KIDSCREEN-52, SRB was assessed using the School Refusal Assessment Scale-Revised for Japanese Attendance at School, self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, children’s mental health status was measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and social support was measured using the Oslo 3-item Social Support Scale. We performed between-group comparisons and multiple regression analysis.Results: The SRB had a significantly lower HRQOL than the control group in several of the KIDSCREEN-52 dimensions. In the SRB group, 35.7% had chronic disease and 35.7% of their parents had health problems and were receiving treatment. The multiple regression analysis revealed that, within the SRB group, a psychiatric diagnosis was associated with a lower HRQOL. However, this was not the case for a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder. Self-esteem positively affected HRQOL in six dimensions of the KIDSCREEN-52 within the SRB group.Conclusion: Our results could inform the development of support strategies for young people with SRB. Namely, support that enhances self-esteem could be used to increase HRQOL in young people with SRB. Furthermore, the presence of psychiatric disorders should be assessed as early as possible.Keywords: school refusal behavior, health-related quality of life, KIDSCREEN, Rosenberg self-esteem scale, autism spectrum disorder

Keywords

• school refusal behavior
• health-related quality of life
• kidscreen
• rosenberg self-esteem scale
• autism spectrum disorder