Self-efficacy and social competence reduce socioeconomic inequality in emotional symptoms among schoolchildren

Charlotte Bjerre Meilstrup*, Bjørn Evald Holstein, Line Nielsen, Pernille Due, Vibeke Koushede

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)
172 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Abstract

Background
Many adolescents experience mental health problems which may have serious consequences for short- and long-term health and wellbeing. This study investigates socioeconomic inequality in emotional symptoms, self-efficacy and social competence. Further, whether self-efficacy and social competence reduce socioeconomic inequalities in emotional symptoms.

Methods
Data stem from the cross-sectional Danish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Methodology Development Survey 2012. Data were collected among all schoolchildren in grades 5–9 (11–15-year-olds) in 23 public schools in two municipalities. Participation rate was 76.8% (n = 3969). Analyses of the associations between daily emotional symptoms, occupational social class, self-efficacy and social competence were performed through logistic regression analyses using SAS version 9.3. Multilevel logistic regression analyses were used to study effect modification.

Results
Schoolchildren from lower socioeconomic positions have higher odds for daily emotional symptoms and lower levels of high self-efficacy and high social competence compared to schoolchildren from higher socioeconomic positions. High self-efficacy and high social competence buffer the association between socioeconomic position and emotional symptoms, i.e. they seem to protect children and adolescents from lower socioeconomic strata against the higher risk of daily emotional symptoms.

Conclusions
High self-efficacy and high social competence buffer the negative effects of low socioeconomic status on emotional symptoms among schoolchildren. Self-efficacy and social competence can be promoted e.g. through school-based initiatives and may be an effective way to improve mental health and reduce socioeconomic inequality in emotional symptoms among children and adolescents.
Original languageEnglish
JournalEuropean Journal of Public Health
Volume30
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)80-85
ISSN1101-1262
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2020

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