Psychological well-being and chronic condition in Portuguese adolescents

Objective: To examine the differences in the psychological well-being of Portuguese adolescents' (1) living with a chronic condition (CC) and (2) living with a CC and feeling it affects/not affects school participation. Methods: There were 5050 Portuguese adolescents as participants of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children/WHO. Results: Adolescents without CC often feel rarely or never 'sad/depressed', 'irritated/bad humour', 'nervous', 'fearful' or 'so sad that it seems I can't take it', compared with their healthy peers. Young people living with CC and feeling that it does not affect participation in school, often feel rarely or never 'sad/depressed', 'fearful' or 'so sad that it seems I can't take it', comparing with the ones with CC and feeling it affects school. All of these symptoms were higher in adolescents living with a CC. Conclusions: Adolescents living with a CC and feeling that it affects participation in school can be at a higher risk for a healthy psychological well-being. Future early interventions based on a 'health assets' approach should be implemented.