Loneliness and associated factors among Brazilian adolescents : results of national adolescent school-based health survey 2015.

Abstract

Objective: To identify the associated factors to loneliness among Brazilian adolescents, consid- ering this is a knowledge gap and given its severity. The United Nations estimates that mental

health problems affect approximately 20% of adolescents worldwide. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with data from the National Adolescent School-based Health Survey 2015, conducted with students aged 13-17 in Brazil. The statistical analysis was

performed with the calculation of the prevalence of feeling loneliness reported. Poisson regres- sion with the adjusted Prevalence Ratio was used to evaluate the association between sociode- mographic characteristics, family context, mental health and lifestyles, and feelings of

loneliness. Results: 15,5% of Brazilian students reported loneliness in the last 12 months. Female gender, higher maternal education, insomnia and be bullying victims rarely or sometimes and most of the time or always had a higher prevalence rate of loneliness. Having friends, having a meal with parents or guardians 5 days or more a week and having understanding parents showed a lower prevalence ratio for loneliness.

Conclusion: Loneliness feeling is frequent among adolescents and is associated with female gen- der, less social and family support, intra-family violence and risk behaviors such as alcohol con- sumption and bullying. Policies to promote physical and mental well-being in this age group,

stimulating friendship and family participation in the lives of adolescents should be made .