Does self-efficacy mediate the association between socioeconomic background and emotional symptoms among schoolchildren?
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Does self-efficacy mediate the association between socioeconomic background and emotional symptoms among schoolchildren? / Meilstrup, Charlotte; Thygesen, Lau Caspar; Nielsen, Line; Koushede, Vibeke; Cross, Donna; Holstein, Bjørn Evald.
In: International Journal of Public Health, Vol. 61, No. 4, 2016, p. 505-512.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Does self-efficacy mediate the association between socioeconomic background and emotional symptoms among schoolchildren?
AU - Meilstrup, Charlotte
AU - Thygesen, Lau Caspar
AU - Nielsen, Line
AU - Koushede, Vibeke
AU - Cross, Donna
AU - Holstein, Bjørn Evald
PY - 2016
Y1 - 2016
N2 - Objectives Emotional symptoms are widespread amongadolescents with the highest prevalence among lowersocioeconomic groups. Less is known about why and howto reduce this inequality but personal control, e.g., selfefficacy may be crucial. This study examines whether selfefficacy is a mediator in the association between occupational social class (OSC) and emotional symptoms.Methods Data stem from the cross-sectional Health Behavior in School-aged Children-Methodology DevelopmentSurvey 2012 (HBSC-MDS) conducted among 11–15-year oldschoolchildren in two Danish municipalities. Participation ratewas 76.8 % of 5165 enrolled schoolchildren, n = 3969.Results Low OSC is associated with higher odds of dailyemotional symptoms and low selfefficacy. Schoolchildrenwith low self-efficacy have higher odds for daily emotionalsymptoms. We find a strong and statistically significantdirect effect between low OSC and daily emotionalsymptoms (OR = 1.55, 95 % CI: 1.33; 1.84) and a borderline statistically significant indirect effect of selfefficacy [OR = 1.17 (0.99; 1.38)].Conclusions Socioeconomic inequality in emotionalsymptoms exists. This inequality is partly explained bysocioeconomic inequality in self-efficacy. Promotion ofpersonal competences like self-efficacy may reduce emotional symptoms among all socioeconomic groups, therebyreducing socioeconomic inequalities in emotionalsymptoms.
AB - Objectives Emotional symptoms are widespread amongadolescents with the highest prevalence among lowersocioeconomic groups. Less is known about why and howto reduce this inequality but personal control, e.g., selfefficacy may be crucial. This study examines whether selfefficacy is a mediator in the association between occupational social class (OSC) and emotional symptoms.Methods Data stem from the cross-sectional Health Behavior in School-aged Children-Methodology DevelopmentSurvey 2012 (HBSC-MDS) conducted among 11–15-year oldschoolchildren in two Danish municipalities. Participation ratewas 76.8 % of 5165 enrolled schoolchildren, n = 3969.Results Low OSC is associated with higher odds of dailyemotional symptoms and low selfefficacy. Schoolchildrenwith low self-efficacy have higher odds for daily emotionalsymptoms. We find a strong and statistically significantdirect effect between low OSC and daily emotionalsymptoms (OR = 1.55, 95 % CI: 1.33; 1.84) and a borderline statistically significant indirect effect of selfefficacy [OR = 1.17 (0.99; 1.38)].Conclusions Socioeconomic inequality in emotionalsymptoms exists. This inequality is partly explained bysocioeconomic inequality in self-efficacy. Promotion ofpersonal competences like self-efficacy may reduce emotional symptoms among all socioeconomic groups, therebyreducing socioeconomic inequalities in emotionalsymptoms.
U2 - 10.1007/s00038-016-0790-3
DO - 10.1007/s00038-016-0790-3
M3 - Journal article
VL - 61
SP - 505
EP - 512
JO - International Journal of Public Health (Print Edition)
JF - International Journal of Public Health (Print Edition)
SN - 1661-8556
IS - 4
ER -
ID: 260551474