MATOS, Margarida Gaspar de et al. In times of economic recession, did Portuguese adolescents stay healthy so far, but no longer happy?. []. , 29, 5, pp.116-122. ISSN 2183-2447.

Overview: This study goal is to understand the evolution of health and risk behaviours in the Portuguese adolescents since 1998 to 2014 with a special focus on the Portuguese economic crisis. Methods: This study includes adolescents who are part of the HBSC project/study-Health Behaviour in School-aged Children since 1998 in Portugal, s 28 987 young people from the 6th, 8th and 10th grade were, corresponding to 5 sets of the study. Results: in 2014 these youngsters reported more frequently physical and psychological symptoms, self-injurious behaviours and lower expectations about the future, for example, the vast majority do not plan to go to University. It was also acknowledged that there was a significant increase in the number of young people who report hunger. Conclusion: This research reinforces the importance of preventing the effects of the economic crisis on the health and behaviour of the young Portuguese population and highlights some implications for the public policies of the education and health, employment and social sectors. Adolescent health is the paradigm of “Health in all Policies”. During economic downturn periods, youth strategic planning should integrate all the referred areas as the unique way to prepare them for a future with health.

: recession; macroeconomic factors; health; happiness; adolescence.

        · |     · |     · ( pdf )