The joint role of social and family environments in the development of adolescent health behaviours: a general population study

Roxane Dumont, Geraldine Blanchard-Rohner, Viviane Richard, Mayssam Nehme, Klara M. Posfay-Barbe, Rémy P. Barbe, Silvia Stringhini , Idris Guessous, Elsa Lorthe, SEROCoV-KIDS study group

Abstract

Objectives Adolescent health behaviours are key determinants of long-term health. We sought to explore the associations between groups of families with similar socio-familial characteristics and health behaviours in adolescents and their parents.

Type of study This was a cross-sectional analysis.

Methods We recruited adolescents aged 14-17 years and their parents from the SEROCoV-KIDS cohort study (December 2021-June 2022), conducted in the canton of Geneva, Switzerland. Marginal logistic regressions were used to calculate sex- and age-adjusted prevalence differences (ΔaPrev) for smoking, alcohol and soda consumption, sports activity, unprotected sex, social network addiction and adherence to COVID-19 vaccination recommendations between socio-familial groups identified by K-means classification (disadvantaged vs advantaged).

Results Among 508 adolescents, two socio-familial groups were identified: a disadvantaged group of 133 individuals characterised by lower socioeconomic status and social support, and an advantaged group of 375 individuals benefiting from more favourable socio-familial conditions. Adolescents in the disadvantaged group had a significantly higher prevalence of smoking (ΔaPrev 7.4%; 95% CI: 1.1; 14.1), daily consumption of soft drinks (ΔaPrev 12.9%; 95% CI: 2.6; 23.2), reduced sporting activity and lower adherence to COVID-19 vaccination recommendations. Similar trends were observed among parents. No differences were found for alcohol consumption, social networking addiction or unprotected sex.

Conclusion Major disparities in health behaviours associated with socio-familial environments emerge from adolescence onwards. It is crucial to adopt a holistic health strategy that recognises the interaction between the socio-demographic context, family dynamics and health behaviours.

Link to the article in English