Health-related quality of life of children from low-income families: the New Patterns study

Child poverty has been gradually rising, so that about 12% of all Norwegian children are living in a state of relative poverty. This study was part of the New Patterns project, which recruits low-income families requiring long-term welfare services. Included families receive integrated welfare services, with the help of a family coordinator. The current study objectives were to describe health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a sample of children and adolescents participating in the New Patterns project (baseline) and to explore the relations among age, background, participation in leisure activities, and HRQoL. Methods Participating families had children (N=214) aged 0–18 years, a three-year averaged household income below 60% of the equivalized median population income and needed long-term welfare services. HRQoL was measured using the KIDSCREEN-27 self-report instrument. Descriptive statistics, including means, standard deviations, and proportions, were calculated, and ordinary least squares regressions were performed, clustering standard errors at the family level. Results Compared with boys, girls reported lower HRQoL on all dimensions, and older children reported significantly lower HRQoL levels on the physical well-being and school environment dimensions than younger children. Children with immigrant backgrounds reported higher HRQoL than did children without immigrant backgrounds, even when controlling for gender, age, and participation in leisure activities. Conclusions Overall, the participating children reported good HRQoL. However, substantial variations within HRQoL dimensions were observed, indicating that some participants had lower HRQoL scores, especially on the physical and social support dimensions. Children with immigrant backgrounds reported significantly higher HRQoL than children without an immigrant background.