Trends in mental health and wellbeing among children and young people in the UK: a repeated cross-sectional study, 2000–14. (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pitchforth, Jacqueline M; Viner, Russell M; Hargreaves, Dougal S
• Is Part Of: Lancet. Volume 388(2016)Supplement 2
• Page Start: S93
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Medicine; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)32329-7
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0140-6736

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Increasing concerns have been raised by professionals in education, health, and other sectors that mental health and wellbeing among children and young people in the UK might be deteriorating, but few nationally representative studies have tested this hypothesis. The objective of this study was to investigate trends in mental health and wellbeing among participants aged 4–24 years in UK national health surveys, 2000–14. Methods: We used data from national health surveys of four UK countries: England (15 surveys, n=67 386, unweighted), Scotland (8, 16 862), Wales (8, 17 677), and Northern Ireland (1, 339). Trends were evaluated for children aged 4–12 years with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQ) (parent or carer report) and for young people aged 16–24 years with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ12) and Warwick Edinburgh Mental Health and Wellbeing Scores (WEMWBS) (self-report for both instruments). We assessed changes over time within countries using weighted t tests of the earliest and latest data for each country and linear regression models using all data. Findings: There were no significant changes in SDQ scores in England, Wales, or Scotland. The proportion of Scottish parents reporting emotional problems was lower in 2014 than in 2003 (weighted proportions 43/908, 4·7% [95% CI 3·3–6·1] vs 175/1819, 9·6 [8·3–11·0]; p<0·001), but no significant overall trend in any country was seen. According to the GHQ scores, prevalence of mental health problems was higher in Scotland in 2014 than in 2003 (103/570, 18·1% [14·9–22·1] vs 117/931, 12·6 [10·4–14·7]; p=0·004), but unchanged in England. Regression analyses showed no significant trend. Wellbeing scores in England measured by WEMWBS were unchanged but were lower in Scotland in 2014 than in 2008 (49·5 [48·9–50·2] vs 50·5 [50·0–51·0], p=0·04). There was no significant overall trend. Interpretation: Prevalence of mental health problems among children and young people has been largely stable in England and Wales over the past 14 years. In Scotland, no significant linear trends were identified, but the most recent data show fewer emotional problems in younger children along with more mental health problems, and decreased wellbeing among young adults. Funding: None.