[Protective factors as determinants of subjective complaints in 15-year-old adolescents]

The study is based on the theory of resilience. Data obtained in Polish schools in 2006 on 2 287 15-year-old pupils were analyzed within HBSC (Health Behaviour in School-aged Children) study. The index of multiple subjective complaints was defined as the main outcome measure. Adolescents provided information on family and local area well-off, social support, quality of family relations, social self-esteem, and school climate. Each of six factors was classified into low, average and high level, and then 12 dummy variables were defined with average level as the reference category. To identify which dummy variable had significant effect upon subjective complaints linear regression model controlled for age was estimated, as well as two gender specific models. We found that strong social bonds are more important for predicting adolescents subjective health than economic factors. However, the effect of protective factors appeared to be lower than had been expected.